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THE   MILITARY   HISTOKY 


OP 


THE  MADRAS  ENGINEERS 
AND  PIONEERS, 

FROM  1743  UP  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME. 

COMPILED     BY 

MAJOR    H.    M.    VIBART, 

ROYAL    (late    madras)    EXGINEKRS. 

IW      TWO      VOLUMES. 
VOL.      I. 


LONDON: 
W.  H.  ALLEN  &  CO.,  13  WATERLOO  PLACE.     S.W. 

PUBLISHERS    TO    THE    INDIA    OFFICE. 


1881. 


(All  Bights  Reserved.) 


LONU'iK    : 
rRINTFl)   HT   W.    H.    ALI.rN    A^'ll   CO  ,    13,    WATKKl.OO  PLArt. 


stack 
Annex 


DEDICATED 


TO     THE 


Re/viai^ihg     Officers 


OF    THE 


8lb  &rps  0f  Sjjirrsrs  M^teieier^ 


INTKODUCTION. 


Having  obtained,  some  years  ago,  a  tolerably  accurate 
list  of  officers  who  had  served  in  the  Corps  of  Madras 
Engineers,  I  was  urged  by  some  friends  to  undertake 
the  compilation  of  the  Military  History  of  the  Corps 
from  its  commencement  up  to  the  present  time.  At 
first  I  was  unwilling  to  attempt  this,  but  the  frequent 
persuasions  of  a  friend,  added  to  the  deep  interest  I 
have  always  taken  in  the  Corps,  together  with  the 
feeling  that,  perhaps,  if  I  did  not  take  the  matter  up, 
nothing  would  be  done,  at  last  overcame  my  hesita- 
tion, and  I  commenced  some  six  years  ago  to  collect 
information. 

I  know  well  that  there  are  many  officers  in  the  Corps 
who  could  have  done  greater  justice  to  the  subject,  but 
I  trust  that  my  shortcomings  will  be  overlooked  by  my 
friends,  when  they  consider  that  at  least  I  have  done 
my  best. 

Although  a  great  deal  of  the  book  must  necessarily, 
I  think,  be  dry,  still  I  hope  I  have  obtained  information 


71  INTRODUCTION. 

regarding  the  Corps  not  previously  generally  known, 
which  will  prove  of  interest. 

I  have  endeavoured  to  trace  the  services  of  the 
Madras  Engineers,  Pioneers,  and  Sappers,  from  their 
origin,  and,  in  my  accounts  of  the  various  campaigns  in 
which  they  have  been  engaged,  I  have  done  my  utmost 
to  ascertain  the  manner  in  which  those  Corps  have 
contributed  to  their  success.  I  have  made  use,  when- 
ever practicable,  of  letters  and  reports  ot  engineers 
themselves,  and  I  have  availed  myself  largely  of  various 
military  works  published  by  officers  of  the  Corps. 

The  compilation  is  jsl  record  of  the  gradual  develop- 
ment of  the  Corps,  with  accounts  of  all  the  campaigns 
in  which  they  have  been  engaged,  with  a  view  to  bring- 
prominently  to  notice  the  works  done  by  those  Corps. 
I  have  largely  consulted  the  Madras  Government 
Records,  as  well  as  many  works  published  many  years 
ago,  and  not  readily  obtainable. 

I  have  to  thank  the  Madras  Government  and  the 
Military  Authorities  at  Fort  St.  George  for  the  freest 
access  to  their  records.  Without  this,  I  could  have 
done  nothing  as  regards  the  earlier  history  of  the  Corps. 
Several  of  my  brother  officers  have  assisted  me  with 
information  regarding  the  later  campaigns,  and  I  am 
greatly  indebted  to  them  for  aid  so  freely  rendered. 

I  must  not  forget  to  add  that  owing  to  the  kindness 
of  Brigadier- General  O'Connell,  Quartermaster- General 
of  the  Madras  Army,  I  was  enabled  to  make  use  of 
any  of  the  numerous  plans  in  his  office,  careful  lists  of 


INTRODUCTION.  Til 

which  have  been  prepared  under  the  able  direction  of 
Major  Kenny  Herbert,  Assistant  Quartermaster- General. 
I  need  say  nothing  further,  but  conclude  with  the 
hope  that  my  compilation  will  not  be  harshly  criticised 
by  my  friends. 

H.  M.  V. 

Corwen,  2Sth  October  1881. 


AUTHORITIES   CONSULTED. 


Eecords  of  Madras  Government. 

Orme's  Hindostan. 

Hamilton's  Gazetteer. 

Wilks'  Mysore.  ^ 

Munro's  Coromandel  War,  1784. 

Broome's  Eise  and  Progress  of  Bengal  Army. 

East  India  Military  Calendar. 

Fullarton's  Narrative  of  Operations  of  Southern  Army,  1788. 

Mackenzie's  Sketch  of  War  with  Tippoo. 

Dirom's  Narrative  of  Campaign,  1792. 

Life  of  Baird,  by  Hook. 

Life  of  Lord  Harris,  by  Lushington. 

Beatson's  War  with  Tippoo,  1800. 

Wilson's  Expedition  to  Egypt. 

Thorn's  Memoirs  of  War,  1803-1806. 

Wellington's  Indian  Despatches. 

Blakiston's  Memoirs. 

Thorn's  War  in  Java. 

Blacker's  Mahratta  War. 

Lake's  Sieges  of  Madras  Army. 

Summary  of  Mahratta  and  Pindaree  Campaign. 

Prinsep's   History   of  Political    and    Military   Transactions   in 

India,  1813-1823. 
Historical   Eecord   of  "  Queen's   Own  "   Madras    Sappers   and 

Miners,  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wilson. 
Dodwell  and  Miles'  Army  Lists. 
Military    Eeminiscences,    by    Colonel    James   Welsh,    Madras 

Establishment. 
Diary  of  Ensign  Eowley,  Madras  Engineers,  1799. 
History  of  Persia,  by  Markham. 
History  of  Travancore,  by  a  Native  of  Travancore. 
Malleson's  Native  States  of  India. 
Malleson's  Monograph  on  Seringapatam. 
Yonge's  History  of  British  Navy. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTEE  I. 


State  of  the  Carnatic  in  the  last  century. — Capture  of  Madras  by  the  French. — 
Siege  of  Fort  St.  David  raised. — Mr.  G.  Jones'  report  on  fort. — Siege  of 
Pondicherry. — Capture  of  Ariancopang. — Siege  of  Pondicherry  raised. — 
Peace  between  England  and  France. — Captain  Delavaux  retires  from  the 
service. — Devicottah  captured. — Terms  of  evacuation  of  Fort  St.  George  by 
the  French. — Benjamin  Robins. — His  assistants. — Thomas  Heath. — Philip 
Glass. — Death  of  Robins. — Surrender  of  Covelong. — Colonel  Scott  appointed 
Engineer-General. — Two  companies  formed. — Death  of  Colonel  Scott. — 
Capture  of  Calcutta  by  Suraja  Dowlah. — Clive  sends  to  Madras  for  an 
engineer. — Brohier  goes  to  Calcutta. — Call,  Chief  Engineer  at  Madras. — The 
Council  asks  Call's  advice  regarding  defence  of  Madras        .         .         .     p.  1 


CHAPTER  II. 

Siege  of  Fort  St.  David. — Its  capture  by  the  French. — Lally  fails  at  Tanjore. — 
Siege  of  Madras. — Formation  of  European  and  Xative  Pioneers. — Preston 
marches  to  Arcot. — Engineers  granted  commissions. — Siege  of  Madras 
raised. — Colonel  Lawrence  takes  Poonamallee  and  Tripassare. — He  marches 
towards  Conjoveram. — Brereton  takes  command. — Lawrence  and  Draper 
return  to  England. — Capture  of  Conjeveram. — Brereton  attacks  Wandewash. 
— Repulse  of  the  EngUsh. — Coote  takes  command. — Capture  of  Wandewash. 
— Carangooly  taken. — Defects  of  Wandewash. — Improvements  of  Fort  St. 
George. — French  attack  Wandewash. — Coote  defeats  the  French. — Death  of 
Brereton. — Coote  takes  Chettipet. — Wood  invests  Arcot. — Capture  of  Arcot. 
— Coote  attacks  Waldour. — Siege  of  Karical  by  Monson. — Party  of  Pioneers 
take  Chillumbram. — •Verdachellum  surrendered. — Coote  takes  YiUenoure 
and  Waldour  — Coote  superseded    by  Monson. — Monson  wounded. — Coote 


CONTENTS. 

re-assTunes  the  command. — Siege  of  Pondicherry. — Great  storm  at  Pondi- 
cherry. — St.  Thomas'  redoubt  captured. — French  capitulate. — Sufferings  of 
French. — Ginjee  invested. — Thiagar  blockaded. — Pondicherry  destroyed. — 
Mahe  capitulates. — Ginjee  taken. — The  French  lose  every  place  in  India. — 
Coote  goes  to  Bengal   .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .     p.  24 


CHAPTER  III. 

Siege  of  Vellore. — Pioneer  company  raised  under  Captain  Bonjour. — Expedition 
against  Manilla. — Captain  Stevenson. — Murder  of  Lieutenant  Fryer. — Cap- 
ture of  Manilla. — Passes  leading  into  the  Carnatic       .         .         .         .     p.  57 


CHAPTEE  IV. 

Siege  of  Madura. — Lawrence's  proclamation. — Tanjore  Rajah  agrees  to  co- 
operate.— Council  of  war. — Siege  raised. — Preston  left  in  command. — 
Charles  Campbell  appointed  to  command  the  army. — French  officer  offers 
to  desert. — Rebels  completely  invested. — Preston  marches  towards  Palam- 
cottah. — Siege  undertaken  in  earnest. — Hamilton  of  the  Engineers  killed. — 
Assault  made. — Preston  badly  svounded. — Pioneers  from  Manilla  arrive  in 
camp. — Engineers  at  the  siege. — Madura  taken. — Palamcottah  taken. — 
Survey  of  passage  between  Ceylon  and  mainland. — Death  of  Stevenson. — 
Madras  Government  entertain  fears  of  Hyder  Ah. — Survey  of  the  passes. — 
Caillaud's  treaty  with  Nizam  Ali. — Colonel  Joseph  Smith  aiTives  in  India. — 
Colonel  Wood  commands  in  Carnatic. — Call  inspects  forts  and  passes. — 
Bonjour  takes  Vaniembaddy. — Nizam  moves  towards  Bangalore  and  Colonel 
Smith  marches  to  join  him. — Nizam  Ah  commences  hostilities  against  us. — 
Colonel  Smith  takes  command  in  the  Baramahl. — Battle  of  Changama. — 
Battle  of  Trinomally .^Confederates  defeated. — Hyder  moves  to  Amboor. 
— Relief  of  Amboor. — Hyder  attacks  a  convoy,  and  is  repulsed. — Nizam 
treats  with  Smith. — Ignominious  peace  with  the  Nizam. — Hyder  goes  to 
■west  coast p.  74 


CHAPTER  V. 

Black  Town  fortified. — Ai"my  sent  against  Tanjore. — Capture  of  Vellum,— 
Vellum  occupied. — Siege  of  Tanjore. — Engineers  suft'er  heavily. — Montresor 
womided. — Colonel  Ross  wounded. — Dispute  as  to  right  of  engineers  to  take 
rank  in  the  army. — Force  sent  to  reduce  Ramnad. — Ramnad  stormed. — 
The  Poligar  killed. — Montresor  appointed  to  the  infantry. — Campbell  killed 


CONTENTS.  XI 

— Montresor  dies. — Tanjore  assaulted  and  captured. — Xa?ore  taken. — 
Survey  of  Northern  Circars. — Corps  of  Guides  raised. — Dispute  about  rank 
of  engineers. — Artillery  located  at  St.  Thomas'  Mount. — Chief  Engineer 
complains  against  Captain  Dugood. — Bound  hedge  for  Madi-as  — Memorial 
of  Engineers  to  Commander-in-Chief. — Tanjore  restoi-ed  to  the  Raja. — Paul 
Benfield.  —  Lieutenant  Robert  Schoular  appointed  surveyor.  —  Vellum 
destroyed. — Complaint  of  Chief  Engineer. — Lieut. -Colonel  Cosby  commands 
a  force  against  Rajah  of  Carvetnuggur. — War  with  France. — Siege  of  Pondi- 
cherry. — Major  Stevens,  Chief  Engineer,  killed. — Pondi cherry  delivered  up, 
19th  October  1778. — Captain  Maule  remarks  on  Major  Stevens. — Siege  of 
Mahe. — Mahe  captured. — Forts  destroyed. — Geils  distinguished  at  Pondi- 
cherry. — Sea-face  of  Fort  St.  George. — Full  batta     .         .         .         •     ?•  HO 


CHAPTEE  VI. 

Banks  and  Bonneveaux  taken  prisoners  by  the  Mahrattas. — Movements  of  the 
Enghsh  fleet  under  Rodney  in  1780. — Combined  French  and  Spanish  fleets. 
— Rodney  reinforced,  but  combined  fleets  had  left  for  Europe. — Simon 
Stewart  and  Mr.  W.  Rylands,  of  Engineers,  made  prisoners. — Colonel  Baillie. 
— Corps  of  Engineers  in  1780. — Hyder  AH  descends  into  the  Camatic. — 
BaiUie's  defeat. — Munro  retreat.s  to  Marmelong  .         .         .         •     P-  140 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Sir  Eyre  Coote's  campaign. — Battle  of  Porto  Novo. — Battle  of  Polilore. 
— Coote's  Despatch. — Battle  of  Sholinghur. — Hyder  attacks  our  advance 
force  at  Yeracundalore. — Vellore  relieved. — Chittor  captured. — Southern 
campaign.- — Braithwaite  attempts  Patacottah. — He  is  wounded. — Nixon 
takes  command. — Siege  of  Negapatam. — Negapatam  capitulates. — Sir 
E.  Hughes  goes  to  Trincomalee. — Capture  of  Trincomalee. — Vellore 
relieved. — Hyder  lays  a  snare  for  us. — Defeat  of  Braithwaite. — Cudda- 
lore  capitulates p.  152 


CHAPTER  Vm. 

Expedition  to  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. — Suffrein  proceeds  to  India. 
— Captain  Byres  made  prisoner  in  the  Hannibal. — Admiral  Hughes  at 
Madras. — Naval  action  off  Sadras. — Byres  writes  to  Coote  regarding 
exchange.-  He  appeals  to  the  Governor. — Coote's  army. — Naval  battle  at 
Battacolo. — Rosa  rejoins  as  Chief  Engineer. — Coote's  campaign. — Battle 
of  Aruee. — Oui-  Grand  Guard  cut  to  pieces. — Naval  action  near  Nega- 


Xll  CONTENTS. 

patam. — Reinforcement  for  Trincomalee. — Suffrein  attacks  Trincomalee, 
which  capitulates.  —  Court-martial  thereon.  —  Banks  honourably 
acquitted. — Naval  action  near  Trincomalee.— Peace  with  Mahrattas 
and  negotiations  with  Hyder. — Vellore  relieved. — Colonel  Lang  sent  to 
command  Southern  Army.  —  Expedition  against  Cuddalore.  —  Coote 
taken  ill. — Expedition  abandoned. — Tippoo  defeated  at  Ponnany  and 
wounded. — Expedition  to  destroy  Wandiwash  and  Carangooly. — Nega- 
patam  destroyed. — Movements  from  Bombay. — Force  under  Colonel 
Lang. — Siege  of  Caroor.  — Aravacoorchy  captured. — Taking  of  Dindigul. 
— Colonel  FuUarton  takes  command  of  the  Southern  Army. — Death  of 
Coote. — Darapooram  captured. — Stuart  takes  up  position  before  Cudda- 
lore.— Assault  on  enemy's  works. — General  Stuart's  after-orders. — 
Council  of  War. — Naval  engagement  between  Suffrein  and  Hughes. — 
Governor  complains  of  Stuart's  dilatoriness. — General  Stuart  resigns 
command  of  Company's  troops. — General  Stuart  arrested  by  the 
Governor. — Arrest  of  General  Burgoyne. — General  Stuart  sent  prisoner 
to  England. — Armies  march  to  winter  quarters. — Pandalumcoorchy 
attacked. — Assault  repulsed,  and  the  place  abandoned. — "Comby" 
taken  possession  of. — Eullarton  resolves  to  take  Palghaut. — Pettah 
occupied.  — •  Palghaut  captured.  —  Coimbatore  surrenders.  —  Colonel 
Campbell  surrenders  Mangalore. — Losses  of  Engineers  .    p.  170 


CHAPTEK  IX. 

Tippoo  attacks  Travancore. — Proposed  Corps  of  Guides. — Colonel  Stuart  sent  to 
Dindigul. — Assault  fails,  but  place  surrendered. — Kelly's  plan  for  capture 
of  Bangalore. — Siege  of  Palghaut. — Surrender  of  Darapoonim. — Lord  Corn- 
wallis  lands  at  Madras. — British  before  Bangalore. — Bangalore  Fort  cap- 
tured.— Battle  of  Arrikera. — ComwalUs  moves  on  Caniambaddy. — Bombay 
Army  retires  to  the  Coast. — Cornwallis  sets  out  for  Bangalore. — Army 
returns  to  Bangalore. — Siege  of  Ryacottah. — Gowdie  advances  to  Nundy. — 
Siege  of  Nundidroog. — Colonel  Ross  reconnoitres  Savandroog. — Savandroog 
captured. — Surrender  of  Ramgherry  and  Shivagherry. — Tippoo's  Lines. — 
Assault  of  Tippoo's  Lines. — Seringapatam  Island. — Attack  made  by  Tippoo's 
Cavalry. — Bombay  Anny  crosses  the  Cauvery. — General  Orders  regarding 
operations  of  Engineers. — Action  on  night  of  21st. — Two  of  Tippoo's  sons 
enter  camp  as  hostages. — Tippoo  signs  articles  of  peace. — Colonel  Maxwell 
sent  against  the  Pohgar  of  Shevagherry p.  213 


CHAPTER  X. 

France  declares  War  against  England  and  Holland. — Colonel  Braithwaite  takes 
command  of  army  before  Pondicherry. — Siege  of  Pondicherry. — Maule  killed, 
and  Captain  Trapaud  becomes  Chief  Engineer  at  Siege. — Pondicherry  sur- 


CONTENTS.  Xlll 

renders. — Pioneers  level  the  batteries.  4-c. — Mr.  Topping  and  Captain  George 
Johnstone.  —  Expedition  against  Malacca. — Amboyna,  Bauda  Xeira,  and 
other  spice  islands  taken. — Capture  of  Columbo. — Proposed  siege  of  Manilla. 
— Colin  ^Mackenzie  reconimended  for  Surveyor-General. — Mackenzie  joins 
Colonel  Roberts'  detachment  near  Hydrabad. — Major-General  Ross  brings 
to  notice  inadequate  strength  of  the  Engineer  Corps.  —  Employment  of 
Pioneers  previous  to  campaign  against  Tippoo. — Constitution  of  the  Corps 
of  Engineers  at  Madras. — A  corps  of  Militia  embodied  in  Madras,  December 
1798  p.  274 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Campaign  of  1799. — Plan  of  the  Campaign. — Hostilities  commenced,  5th  March 
1799. — Routes  to  Seringapatam. — Rowley  and  Garrard  join  Nizam's  con- 
tingent.— Tippoo's  attack  on  the  Bombay  Army  at  Sedaseer. — Tippoo  moves 
to  meet  General  Harris. — Action  at  Malavelly. — Army  crosses  Cauvery  at 
Sosilla,  just  about  the  junction  of  the  Cubbany  River. — A  line  of  posts  from 
the  river  to  Sultanpettah  secured. — Floyd  marches  towards  Periapatam. — 
Bombay  Army  arrives,  and  crosses  the  river. — General  Floyd  marches 
towards  Cauverypooram. — At  Mysore  Ensign  Rowley  examines  the  fort. — 
Enemy  advances  to  secure  village  on  northern  side  of  river,  where  it  was 
proposed  to  establish  an  enfilading  battery. — Attack  on  enemy's  intrench- 
ments  at  old  powder-mill. — Attack  on  the  outposts  of  the  Bombay  Army. — 
Enemy's  intrenchments  behind  the  water-course  which  runs  to  Periapatum 
Bridge  attacked  — Norris  and  Farquhar  crossed  the  greater  part  of  the 
river  on  29th  April. — Scarcity  of  provisions. — Lieutenant  Lalor  finds  the 
river  fordable. — Breach  practicable. — Storming  party. — Colours  planted  on 
summit  of  breach. — Tippoo  killed. — Our  loss. — Survey  of  position  of  army 
before  Seringapatam.— Dispute  between  Wellesley  and  Captain  Norris. — 
Captain  Bong's  case. — G.  0.  G.  regarding  Seringapatam  medal  .     p.  290 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Wustara. — Arrakerry,  stronghold  of  the  Rajah  of  Bellum. — Chitteldroog. — 
Dhoondiah  Waug. — Blair  and  Garrard  ordered  to  survey  Forts  on  northern 
frontier  of  Mysore. — Dhoondiah. — Koondgul  stormed. — Dummul  stormed. — 
Dhoondiah  encamps  near  Soondooty. — Wellesley  surprises  Dhoondiah  at 
Manowly,  and  captures  his  baggage. — Wellesley  moves  to  Kittoor. — Detach- 
ment sent  against  Pychy  Raja  in  Wynaad  and  Malabar. — Poligar  War. — 
Repulsed  from  Pundalumcoorchy  with  heavy  loss. — Pioneers  attacked  by 
the  enemy. — Pioneers  exposed  without  arms  or  any  protection. — Heitland, 
of    Pioneers,    wounded. — Force   reaches    Sherewele. — Calliacoil   Pagoda. — 


XIV  CONTENTS. 

Attempt  to  reach  Calliacoil  from  Sherewele  side  abandoned. — A  new  chiof 
set  up  in  place  of  tlie  Murdoos. — Fresh  attempt  on  Calliacoil. — Thanks  of 
Government. — Wellesley  marches  against  Rajah  of  Bullum        .         .     p.  332 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Expedition  to  Egypt. — Expeditions  at  the  Spice  islands. — Changes  in  the  Corps 
from  1799  to  180.3. — Engineer  Corps  after  the  capture  of  Seringapatam. — 
Major-General  Ross  recommends  an  increase  to  the  Corps  of  Engineers. — 
Proposed  Establishment. — Distribution  of  Corps. — Major-General  Ross 
reports  on  Fort  of  Seringapatam. — Approval  of  Colonel  Gent's  services. — 
Engineer  Corps  on  1st  January  180.3. — Expedition  into  kingdom  of  Candy, 
in  Ceylon. — Increase  of  the  Corps  of  Pioneers,  January  1803     .         .     p.  354 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Causes  of  the  Mahratta  War  in  1803. — Ensign  Rowley  dies. — Pettah  of  Ah- 
modnugger  taken  by  escalade. — Fort  of  Ahmednugger  captured. — Colonel 
Stevenson  takes  Jaulna. — Battle  of  Assaye. — Colonel  Maxwell  killed. — Loss 
of  the  Pioneers. — Battle  of  Argaum. — Siege  of  Gawilghur. — Assault  of 
Gawilgluir. — Scarcity  of  forage. — Anecdote  of  siege  of  Ahmednugger. — 
Blakiston  slightly  wounded  at  Assaye. — Captured  standards  made  use  of  by 
Pioneers  in  a  comical  way. — Mode  of  attack  of  19th  Dragoons  at  the  battle 
of  Argaum. — Remarks  on  the  work  of  Captain  Johnson  and  the  Pioneers. — 
Blakiston  suffers  from  dysentery.- — Remarks  of  Captain  Johnson  on  the 
siege. — Expedition  against  Cuttack.- — Four  stands  of  colours  captured  by 
the  troops. — Hostilities  with  Jeswunt  Row  Holkar. — Chandore  surrenders. — 
The  strong  fortress  of  Dhoorp  included  in  the  capitulation  of  Chandore. — 
Employment  of  Pioneers  in  1805. — Government  make  provision  for  families 
of  natives  killed  in  action. — Pioneers  in  Wynaad. — Pioneers  in  Poloor 
Pollums. — Pioneers  at  Chittoor. — Court  of  Directors  appoint  cadets  to 
Artillery  and  Engineers. — Lieutenant  Blakiston  in  Wynaad. — Full  batta 
granted  to  Pioneers. — Captains  commanding  to  draw  batta  of  Majors. — A 
company  of  IMadras  Pioneers  serve  with  Poona  Subsidiary  Force  till  April 
1806  .  p.  372 


CHAPTER  XV. 

The  miitiny  at  Vellore. — Colonel  Gillespie's  report. — Gillespie  thanks  Blakiston. 
Principal  conspirators  executed. — Blakiston  posted  to  Bangalore. — Captain 
George  Johnstone. — Engineer  Corps  in  1 809. — Pier   proposed   at   Madras. — 


CONTENTS.  XV 

Attack  on  the  Resident  of  Travancore. — Ficfhting  at  Quilon. — Troops  ordered 
to  TraTancore. — Battle  of  Quilon. — Capture  of  Arambooly  lines. — Artny 
marches  for  the  interior. — Action  near  Xagracoile. — Army  reaches  Trevan- 
dnim. — Chalmers  defeats  enemy  at  Kilhanore. — The  Devran  commits 
suicide,  and  his  brother  and  friends  are  hanged. — Occupation  of  the  Mauritius 
resolved  on. — Capture  of  St.  Paul's,  Bourbon. — St.  Paul's  abandoned. — 
Attack  on  Bourbon. — Reinforcements  amve  at  Rodrigues.—  Capture  of 
Bourbon. — Attack  on  the  Isle  of  Passe. — Capture  of  the  Isle  of  Passe. — 
Defences  entrusted  to  Davies. — Davies  wounded  at  Grand  Port. — The  French 
capture  Windham  and  Ceylon,  East-Indiamen. — Astell,  East  Indiaman, 
escapes. — French  make  their  way  into  Grand  Port  —  Windham  recaptured 
by  boats  from  Sirius. — Captains  Pym  and  ^Yilloughby  attack  the  French 
ships  in  the  harbour. — Captain  Willoughby  dreadfully  woimded.. — Garrison 
at  Isle  of  Passe  compelled  to  surrender. — Lieutenant  Davies  taken  prisoner. 
— Bourbon  blockaded. — Blakiston  and  C.  E.  Trapaud  at  Bourbon. — Several 
deaths  on  the  march  from  extreme  heat. — Surrender  of  Mauritius    ,     p.  401 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Force  in  the  field  to  protect  Nagpore. — Dispute  between  Sir  George  Barlow  and 
officers  of  the  Madras  Army  producing  the  so-called  Mutiny. — Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Bell,  of  the  Artillery. — Colonel  Bell  seizes  treasure. — Colonel 
Davies  placed  in  confinement.— Colonel  Bell  threatens  to  destroy  bridges 
over  the  Cauvery. — Troops  from  Chittledroog  march  to  Seringapatam. 
— Conference  held.  —  Fortress  sui'rendered.  —  Memorial  of  Madras  En- 
gineers regarding  promotion. — Establishment  of  a  Battahon  of  Pioneers. 
— Sir  John  Malcolm's  Mission  to  Persia. — -Grant  and  Fotheringham  sent 
to  Baghdad,  McDonald  and  Monteith  to  Bussorah. — Grant  and  Fothering- 
ham murdered. — Malcolm  ^•isits  Futteh  Ali  Shah. — Sir  Gore  Ouseley 
appointed  Ambassador  by  the  Crown. — Malcolm  desires  to  leave  Persia. 
— Anxiety  of  the  King  for  retention  of  Malcolm. — Order  of  the  Lion 
and  Sim  instituted,  and  conferred  on  Malcolm. — Malcolm  quits  Tabreez. 
— Lieutenants  Christie,  Ijindsay,  and  Monteith  remain  in  Persia. — First 
Engineer  officers  who  passed  through  Addiscombe  College. — The  French 
occupy  Java. — British  expedition  against  Java. — ilovements  of  the  fleet. — 
Course  of  the  reconnoitring  party. — Mackenzie  recommends  Chillingching 
as  the  landing-place. — Position  of  troops  after  debarkation.— Tanjong  Priok. 
— Army  crosses  Autchol  river. —  Colonel  Gillespie  to  Wetteroreden. — 
Extracts  from  Colonel  Gillespie's  despatch. — Siege  of  Cornells. — Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Clarges  mortally  wounded. — The  several  columns  of  attack. — 
Gillespie  captures  the  advanced  redoubt,  and  crosses  the  bridge. — Arrival  of 
Colonel  Gibbs. — Movements  of  remaining  columns. — Colonel  McLeod  killed. 
— Wood's  column. — Column  imder  Major  Yule. — Total  defeat  of  the  enemy. 
— Our  losses. — General  Janssens  flies  to  Buitzenzong. — Extract   fi'om  Lord 


XVI  CONTENTS. 

Miuto's  letter  to  Secretary  of  State. — Cheribon  surienders,  and  Genornl 
Jumel  taken  prisoner. — Janssens  surrenders  the  island. — Fort  Ludowyck 
surrenders. —  Sir  S.  Auchmuty  sets  sail  for  Batavia,  en  route  for  Madras. — 
Hostilities  with  the  Sultan  of  Mataram,  and  capture  of  Djoejocarta. — 
Subsequent  operations  of  the  British  forces. — Expedition  against  Djoejocarta. 
— Sultan  demands  our  surrender.  —  The  Sultan  surrenders.  —  Gillespie 
■wounded. — IMackenzie  ordered  to  remain  in  Java  by  the  Commander-in- 
Chief. — Field  force  under  Colonel  Dowse  in  South  Mahratta  country. — Four 
sappers  detained  in  Java  to  assist  in  forming  a  colonial  corps. — Field  force 
at  Gooty  under  Major-General  Taylor. — Establishment  of  European  officers 
of  Pioneers  revised. — Adjutants  appointed  to  each  battahon  of  Pioneers. — 
Detachment  of  Madras  Pioneers  ordered  to  Ceylon. — Pioneers  employed 
with  Hydrabad  subsidiary  force  under  Colonel  Doveton. — Force  assembled 
at  Gooty  for  service  against  Kurnool. — Casualties  in  Corps  of  Engineers 
from  December  1810  to  December  1816. — Pay  of  Acting  Chief  Engineer. — 
Additions  to  the  Corps. — Major  Farquhar  at  Malacca. — Lieutenant  Monteith 
in  Persia.-  Lieutenant-General  Trapaud's  memorial  regarding  oflBcers  of 
Engineers'  exclusion  from  Staff  employ      .        .  ...    p.  441 


CHAPTEE  XVII. 

Mahratta  War. — Rajah  of  Nagpore  intrigues. — Holkar  commences  hostilities. — 
Holkar  and  Scindiah  make  treaties  with  the  British  Government. — Pindar- 
ries. — The  Peishwa. — The  Nagpore  Government. — Holkar  a  young  minor. — 
Intrigues  at  Peishwa's  Court  previous  to  1815. — Trimbuckjee  confined  to 
Tannah,  but  escapes. — Alliance  proposed  to  the  Peishwa. — Hydrabad. — 
Appa  Sahib's  alliance  with  British  Government. — Pindarries  enter  the 
Madras  territory. — Divisions  in  the  field. — Lord  Hastings  reaches  Cawnpore. 
— Sir  T.  Hislop  leaves  Secunderabad. — Doveton  leaves  Jauhia. — 4th 
Division  in  rear  of  Unkye  Tankye  pass. — The  Governor-General  takes  the 
field. — Treaty  with  Scindiah. — Sir  T.  Hislop  arrives  at  Hurdah. — 2nd 
Division  of  the  Grand  Army  intended  to  undertake  Siege  of  Asseerghur. — 
The  4th  Division  to  advance  to  the  Nerbudda. — Fifth  Division  assembled  at 
Hoosingabad. — 3rd  or  Left  Division  of  the  Grand  Army. — Force  under 
Brigadier  Hardyman. — Brigadier  Toone's  Division  terminated  line  to  the 
left. — Reserve  Division  under  Ouchterlony. — Guzerat  Division. — Deccan 
Reserve  under  Munro. — The  Peishwa  solicits  the  reduction  of  Soondoor. — 
Chain  of  posts  formed  along  the  frontier. — 4th  Division  returns  to  Poena. — 
Movements  of  General  Doveton. — Bajee  Row  attacks  the  Residency  at 
Poena. — Colonel  Burr  defeats  the  Peishwa. — 4th  Division  reaches  Kirkee. — 
Pioneers  improve  the  ford. — Peishwa  retreats. — The  Pindarries. — Position 
of  the  Pindarries. — Pindarrie  forces. — Battle  of  Seetabuldee. — Troops  poured 
into  Nagpore. — Ensign  Jenkins  dies. — Movements  against  the  Pindarries. — 
Operations  against  army  of  Holkar. — Battle  of  Mehidpore. — Bombay  Army. — 


CONTENTS.  Xvii 

Guzerat  Division. — Movements  of  the  Grand  Army. — Operations  confined  to 
Mewar. — Battle  of  Nagpore. — Attack  of  Nagpore  city. — Storming  party. — 
Attack  on  breach  fails. — Davies  severely  wounded. — Extract  from  General 
Doveton's  letter. — Further  operations  against  the  Pindarries. — Pindarrles 
attempt  to  regain  Malwa. — Completely  dispersed  at  Kotrah  on  the  Kalle 
Sindh. — Kureem  Khan  and  Wasil  Mahomed's  forces  annihilated. — Cheetoo's 
forces  dispersed. — Cheetoo  killed  in  the  jungle  by  a  tiger. — 2nd  Division 
proceeds  from  Xagpore  to  the  west. — Holkar's  possessions  in  Khandeish 
ceded  to  the  Enghsh. — Operations  of  4th  Division  and  the  Reserve. — 
Detachment  under  Captain  Staunton  repulses  the  Peishwa's  Army  at  Kory- 
gaum. — Flight  of  Bajee  Row  continued.— General  Pritzler  pursues  Bajee 
Row. — Cavalry  action  at  Ashtee.  —  Gokla  killed. — Siege  of  Singhur. — 
Singhur  capitulates. — Pritzler  takes  a  number  of  forts. — Munro  takes 
Badami. — Siege  of  Belgaum  — Munro  effects  junction  with  Pritzler. — Siege 
of  Sholapore. — The  Fort  of  Sholapore  reconnoitred. — Grant  reconnoitres  the 
rampart  and  ditch. — Sholapore  surrenders. — Forces  in  Hindustan. — Saugor 
surrenders. — Lieutenant  Remon,  Bombay  Engineers,  wounded. — Dhamonee 
surrenders. — Mundla  stormed.— Army  of  the  Deccan.- — 1st  Division  of 
Deccan  Army  marches  to  the  south. — Sir  T.  Hislop  at  Talneir. — Killadar 
surrenders. — Arabs  attack  our  party. — Killadar  hanged. — Doveton  at 
Ootran  ordered  to  Bal. — Holkar's  possessions  quickly  occupied. — Hislop 
hears  of  Bajee  Row. — Sir  T.  Hislop  returns  to  Madras  via  Bombay. — Bajee 
Row  hastens  towards  Chanda. — Adams  defeats  the  Peishwa  near  Soonee. — 
Pursuit  of  Mahratta  Army. — Peishwa  turns  north  to  cross  the  Taptee. — 
Wusota  invested  by  General  Pritzler. — Sun-ender  of  Wusota. — The  2nd 
Division  employed  in  pursuit  of  the  Peishwa. — Detachment  under  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  McDowell  into  Khandeish. — Unkye  Tunkye. — Engineer  officers 
present. — Trimbuck  reconnoitred. — Ensign  Lake  wounded. — Trimbuck  sur- 
renders.— Engineer  Department  moves  to  Xassick. — McDowell  before 
Malligaum.— Adams  before  Chanda. — Situation  of  Chanda. — Campaign  in 
Bhonsla  territory  closed. — Appa  Sahib  confined  at  Xagpore. — Appa  Sahib 
escapes. — The  whole  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Adams's  force  takes  the  field. — 
The  Peishwa  crosses  the  Taptee. — Peishwa  has  a  conference  with  Sir  John 
Malcolm. — He  joins  Malcolm's  camp. — McDowall's  force  at  Malligaum. — 
Description  of  Malligaum. — Recommendations  of  Commanding  Engineer, 
Lieutenant  Davies. — Sortie  from  Malligaum  — Lieutenant  Davies  mortally 
wounded. — Eulogy  of  Lieutenant  Davies. — Conduct  of  siege  devolves  on 
Ensign  Xattes. — Arrangements  for  the  assault. — Ensign  Nattes  killed  in  the 
assault. — Storming  party  retreats  to  the  trenches. — Pettah  captured. — 
Attack  on  west  side  abandoned. — Proposal  to  attack  east  face. — Surrender 
of  Malligaum. — Severe  losses  among  Engineer  officers. — Appa  Sahib  makes 
for  the  Mohadeo  Hills. — Adams  sends  reinforcements. — Arabs  driven  into 
the  jungles. — Appa  Sahib  engaged  in  making  fresh  levies. — Intrigues  at 
Nagpore. — At  end  of  October  Mohadeo  Hills  still  hold  out. — Attempt  to 
recover  Chouragurh. — Colonel  Adams  enters  the  Hills. — Tribes  of  Goands 
reduced. — Appa  Sahib    escapes   from    Mohadeo   Hills. — Lieutenant-Colonel 


XVni  CONTENTS. 

Pollock  in  the  Valley  of  the  Taptee. — Captures  Jilpy  Amueir. — Ex-Raja  of 
Nagpoor  makes  his  way  to  Asseerghur. — Troops  assembled  for  the  Siege  of 
Asseerghur. — Ordnance  available  for  the  Siege. — Description  of  Asseerghur. 
Attack  of  Asseerghur. — Pettah  taken. — Engineer  Department  established 
in  centre  of  the  pettah. — Malcolm  moves  to  north-west  of  the  fort. — 
Disastrous  explosion. — Engineers  reconnoitred  east  front. — Lieutenant 
Coventry's  (Commanding  Engineer)  report. — Doveton's  Division  moves  for 
attack  on  east  front. — Engineers'  Depot  established  at  the  Ram  Bagh. — 
Malighur  occupied  by  our  troops. — Saugor  battering  train  and  Bengal 
■  Miners  arrive. — North-east  angle  of  fort  destroyed. — Killadar  offers  to 
surrender  with  stipulations,  which  were  rejected. — Killadar  surrenders  un- 
conditionally.— Fort  occupied. — Great  exertions  of  the  Artillery. — Loss  of 
garrison  slight. — British  losses. — Appa  Sahib  not  found  in  the  fort. — Appa 
Sahib  escapes  and  makes  his  way  to  the  Punjab. — Attack  of  Nowa. — 
Description  of  Nowa. — Shaft  commenced  to  blow  in  the  counterscarp. — 
Inner  fort  carried. — Our  losses. — Engineer  Establishment. — Siege  of  Copal 
Droog. — Force  encamped  before  Copal  Droog.— Description  of  Copal  Droog. 
— Lower  fort  taken  possession  of. — Plan  of  attack. — Upper  fort  esca- 
laded.^Assaulting  columns  throughout  the  campaign  led  by  Engineer 
Oflficers. — Extract  from  General  Pritzler's  despatch. — Disturbances  in 
Sawunt  Waree. — Composition  of  Engineer  Corps  up  to  1829   .  .  p.  488 


APPENDIX  1 587 

APPENDIX  II 590 

APPENDIX  III 600 


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LIST   OF   MAPS   AND   PLANS. 


To  face  Page. 
Addiscombe  College,  Governor's  House    ....     Frontispiece. 

Plan  of  Fort  St.  George,  1733 5 

Plan  of  Fort  St.  George,  December  1758 40 

Siege  of  Manilla,  1762 70 

Plan  of  Fort  St.  George,  1862 127 

Plan  of  Pondicherry,  1778,  with  Siege  Works  ......  184 

Battle  of  Cuddalore,  18  June  1783 190 

Sketch  of  the  Southern  Countries  of  India  traversed  by  the  arnaies 

commanded  by  Colonel  Humberston  and  Colonel  Fullarton,  1782-84  208 

Plan  of  Bangalore,  with  the  Attack  of  the  English  Army,  March  1791  .  225 
Plan  of  Bangalore  and  its  Environs,  with  the  positions  of  the  English 

and  Tippoo's  Armies,  March  1791 225 

Plan  of  Nundidroog,  and  the  British  Attack,  October  1791     .         .         .  239 

Plan  of  the  Siege  of  Seringapatam,  8-24  February  1792  ....  268 

Plan  of  Pondicherry,  1793,  with  Siege  Works 276 

Sketch  of  the  Environs  of  Seringapatam,  showing  Siege  Works,  1799    .  820 

Sketch  of  the  Fort  of  Gawilghur 384 

Plan  of  the  Fortress  of  Vellore .  409 

Map  of  Reunion  Island,  or  Bourbon 428 

Map  of  the  Mauritius 488 

Sketch   of   the  Advance   of   the   British  Army   against   Port    Louis, 

December  1810 .439 

Plan  of  Attack  on  the  Fortified  Lines  of  Cornells,  26  August  1811         .  468 
Plan    of    Attack    on    Seetabuldee,    26-27    November    1817;    and   on 

Nagpur,  19-29  December  1817 510 

Plan  of  Attack  on  Malligaum,  14  June  1818      ....  550 
Plan  of  the  Attack  of  Aeseerghur,  9  April  1819        ....  566 
Map  of  Central  India,  with  the  positions  of  the  several  Divisions  of 
the  British   Army  during  the  Campaign  of   1817-18,  for  the  exter- 
mination of  the  Pindarries 578 


MILITAEY   HISTOKY 


OF    THE 


MADRAS     ENGINEERS 

AND  PIONEERS. 


CHAPTER    I. 


State  of  tho  Caruatic  in  the  last  century. — Capture  of  Madras  by  the  French. — 
Siege  of  Fort  St.  David  raised. — Mr.  G.  Jones'  report  on  fort. — Siege  of 
Pondicherry. — Capture  of  Ariancopang. — Siege  of  Pondicherry  raised. — 
Peace  between  Enghind  and  France. — Captain  Delavaus  retires  from  the 
service. — Devicottah  captured. — Terms  of  evacuation  of  Fort  St.  George  by 
the  French. — Benjamin  Robins. — His  assistants. — Thomas  Heath. — Philip 
Glass. — Death  of  Robins. — SuiTender  of  Covelong. — Colonel  Scott  appointed 
Engineer-General. — Two  companies  formed. — Death  of  Colonel  Scott. — 
Capture  of  Calcutta  by  Sm-aja  Dowlah. — Clive  sends  to  Madras  for  an 
engineer. — Brohier  goes  to  Calcutta. — Call,  Chief  Engineer  at  Madras. — The 
Council  asks  Call's  advice  regarding  defence  of  Madras. 


It  was  not  till  1770  that  the  Corps  of  Madras  Engineers  was 
organised  on  a  strictly  military  basis ;  but  more  than  a  quarter 
of  a  century  previous  to  that  time,  various  engineers  were 
employed  on  the  fortifications  at  Madras  and  Fort  St.  David,  as 
well  as  on  other  duties  of  a  purely  military  engineering 
character. 

In  1718  the  first  regular  establishment  of  engineers  was 
formed.  The  head  of  this  establishment  was  named  Chief 
Engineer. 

1 


2  MILITAEY   HISTORY    OF    THE 

Up  to  the  year  1 745  the  English  governors  hud  merely  been 
at  the  head  of  trading  establislimeuts,  but  war  having  been 
declared  between  France  and  England  in  1744,  and  an  English 
fleet  having  appeared  on  the  coast  with  the  view  of  destroying 
the  French  settlements,  changed  the  course  of  affairs. 

At  this  period  two  nawabs  of  the  Caruatic  had  been  assas- 
sinated in  succession  After  the  death  of  the  first,  Subder  All 
(the  brother-in-law  of  Chunda  Sahib),  Nizam-ul-Mulk,  the 
Subadar  of  the  Deccan,  proceeded  to  Arcot,  in  the  beginning  of 
1743,  with  an  immense  army,  and  found  the  Carnatic  at  his 
disposal.  The  young  son  of  Subder  Ali  had  just  before  his 
arrival  been  proclaimed  Nawab  in  his  father's  place.  The  Car- 
natic was,  however,  in  a  state  of  anarchy.  "  Every  petty 
commandant  of  a  fort  assumed  the  title  of  Nawab,  and  no  less 
than  eighteen  of  these  little  nawabs  were  introduced  to  the 
Nizam  in  a  day.  He  threatened  to  scourge  the  first  person  who 
should  in  the  future  usurp  the  title,  and  named  Anwar-u-Din 
Nawab."  He  further  arranged  that  when  the  boy-prince  came 
of  age,  he  would  be  made  Nawab ;  Anwar-u-Din  meantime  being 
his  guardian. 

In  March  1744  the  Nizam  left  the  Carnatic,  and  three  months 
after  the  boy-nawab  was  murdered  at  a  wedding  f  jast.  It  was 
believed  that  the  murder  was  instigated  by  Anwar-u-Din  and 
Mortiz  Ali  (the  uncle  of  the  young  Nawab).  Nevertheless, 
Nizam-ul-Mulk  confirmed  Anwar-u-Din  in  the  post  of  Nawab  ; 
and  when  war  broke  out  between  the  French  and  English  he 
was  at  the  head  of  affairs  in  the  Carnatic.  At  this  time  the 
English  were  in  possession  of  two  settlements — one  at  Madras  ; 
and  the  other  at  Fort  St.  David,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Ponniar 
river,  and  twelve  m.iles  south  of  the  French  settlement  of  Pondi- 
cherry,  which  was  about  100  miles  south  of  Madras  The 
Dutch  had  settlements  at  Pulicat  (twenty-four  miles  north  of 
Madras),  and  at  Sadras  (forty  miles  south  of  it). 

In  1745  the  forts  at  Madras  (St.  George),  and  at  the  Ponniar 


1740.]  MADEAS    ENGINEEES.  3 

(St.  David)  were  formidable  enough  to  deter  the  natives  of  the 
country  from  attacking  them,  but  were  quite  unfitted  to  stand  a 
regular  siege  and  bombardment.  It  is  at  this  time  that  we  find 
the  first  records  of  professional  engineers  being  called  in  to  give 
their  advice  regarding  the  forts,  and  Major  Knipe's  quaint 
report  in  1743  shows  clearly  how  very  inferior  were  the  works 
at  Fort  St.  George.  Mr.  George  Jones'  report  on  Fort  St. 
David,  in  1747,  clearly  establishes  the  fact  that,  although  Fort 
St.  David  was  stronger  than  Fort  St.  George,  it  still  was  but  a 
contemptible  place  of  arms. 

It  was  in  lfi39  that  the  English  first  settled  at  Madras; 
previous  to  that  they  had  a  factory  at  Armegon,  north  of 
Madras.  They  now  obtained  a  strip  of  coast  six  miles  long 
and  one  broad ;  on  this,  they  built  a  factory,  and  surrounded  it 
with  a  wall,  on  which  they  mounted  cannon.  Mr.  Francis  Day 
was  the  English  chief  at  that  time. 

In  1G44  we  find  that  £2,294  bad  been  spent  on  the  fortifica- 
tions, and  it  was  estimated  that  £2,000  more  would  serve  to 
complete  it.  The  fort  was  of  course  but  small,  and  a  garrison 
of  100  men  was  considered  sufficiently  strong  for  its  occupation. 
It  is  unlikely  that  Mr.  Day  had  any  professional  assistance  in 
erecting  this  fort,  as  it  is  certain  that  the  so-called  fort  merely 
consisted  of  a  slight  wall  surrounding  the  residences  of  the 
merchants. 

It  would  appear  that  for  a  century  after  its  foundation  no 
material  alterations  were  made  to  it. 

In  the  year  1740,  the  President  having  learnt  that  20,000 
Mahrattas  had  arrived  at  Arcot,  and  were  plundering  the  country, 
became  alarmed  and  hastily  appointed  William  Monson,  Esq., 
captain  ;  Mr.  John  Stretton,  lieutenant ;  and  Mr.  John  Hally- 
burton,  ensign.  He  also  gave  certain  directions  to  the  store- 
keeper and  gunner  regarding  the  guns  and  their  carriages,  and 
ordered  the  paymaster  to  repair  the  chcvaux-de-frises.  The 
alarm  excited  by  the  proceedings  of  the  Mahrattas  induced  the 

1   * 


4  MILITAEY   HISTOEY   OF   THE 


[1743. 


Directors  of  the  East  India  Company  to  send  out  an  experienced 
engineer  officer,  Major  Charles  Kuipe,  to  report  on  the  state  of 
the  fortifications  His  short  and  pithy  report,  given  below,  will 
show  that  in  ]  743  the  fort  was  hardly  entitled  to  its  name. 

"Major  Charles  Knipe  having  surveyed  the  fortifications  of 
the  town  on  the  west  side  from  Charles'  Point  to  Queen's  Point, 
delivers  in  a  report, 

'■  To  the  Honourable  Richard  Benyon,  Esq., 
"  President  and  Governor. 

"  In  obedience  to  your  Honour's  commands,  I  have  taken  a 
survey  of  your  city  of  Madraspatam  from  Charles'  Point  to  the 
Queen's  Point,  being  that  part  of  the  fortifications,  as  it  is 
called,  which  faces  towards  the  island ;  but  I  must  take  the 
liberty  to  assure  you  it  is  no  fortification  at  all,  but  rather  an 
offensive  than  defensive  wall  to  your  garrison.  Was  it  not  for 
the  support  it  has  from  the  several  outhouses  of  the  inhabitants 
which  are  all  built  against  it  through  the  whole  extent  above- 
mentioned,  it  could  not  stand,  nor  was  it  more  than  sufficient 
for  a  garden-wall  when  first  erected.  As  to  the  river  that  runs 
by  it,  that  neither  is  any  addition  to  the  strength  of  your  works, 
but  rather  a  nuisance  to  the  town ;  for  I  observe  in  every  part  of 
it,  it  is  continually  forded  at  less  than  two  feet  deep.  The  plan 
laid  down  for  enlarging  your  city  and  carrying  a  new  fortifica- 
tion across  the  island  from  Charles'  Point  to  Queen's  Point, 
above  mentioned,  I  have  by  your  Honour's  direction  very  care- 
fully examined  in  regard  to  a  foundation,  by  making  small  wells 
of  considerable  depth  from  the  surface,  and  by  boring  several 
feet  deeper  in  the  bottom  of  each  of  them  through  the  whole 
extent  of  the  intended  fortification,  and  find  the  soil  is  clay  and 
sand  capable  of  sustaining  any  weight,  especially  if  assisted  with 
a  few  wells  under  the  foundation  near  the  river's  side,  where  it 
is  a  little  spungy.  As  to  the  river,  I  will  engage  to  turn  that 
^uite  off  from  your  town  at  a  very  small  expense,  and  supply  its 


FORT  S^GEO 

IN     1755 


5m    Mo     $00    Zoe    7«0        .0 


Scale    300 fee f   fo  /  l/irh 


1744-45.]  MADEAS    ENGINEEES.  5 

place  with  a  much  better  foss,  by  which  the  whole  island  will  be 
drained  and  become  a  very  firm  and  solid  tract  of  land. 

"  This  is  humbly  submitted  to  your  Honour's  and  the  Gentle- 
men of  the  Council's  consideration  by 

"Your  most  obedient  servant, 

(Signed)         Charles  Knipe. 
"  Fort  St.  George, 
"January  25th,  1743." 

But  little  action  could  have  been  taken  on  this  report,  for  in 
1746,  when  captured  by  the  French,  it  was  as  weak  as  it  could 
well  be.  It  was  in  January  1 748  that  that  distinguished  man 
Stringer  Lawrence  arrived  from  England  to  command  the  Com- 
pany's forces  in  India  with  the  rank  of  Major;  and  in  June  of 
the  same  year  the  first  regular  engineer  was  appointed  to  the 
establishment.  Captain  Alexander  Delavaux.  From  that  date  a 
regular  establishment  of  engineers  was  maintained.  This  body 
was  of  very  small  strength,  and  even  in  1753  during  the  siege 
of  Madras,  the  number  of  engineers  available  was  only  four. 
These  engineers  were  obtained  from  various  sources.  Previous 
to  the  siege  of  Madras  in  1758-59,  the  engineers  were  con- 
sidered civilians.  At  that  time,  however,  military  commissions 
were  given  to  the  four  engineer  officers  employed  in  the  defence, 
and  subsequently  officers  on  joining  the  Engineer  Service  were 
granted  military  rank. 

In  1769  the  number  of  engineers  in  the  ]\tadras  Service  was 
but  eight,  and  in  1770,  when  the  Engineer  Service  was 
re-organised  on  a  purely  military  basis,  the  whole  Corps  con- 
sisted of  nine  officers.  This  number  was  gradually  increased, 
but  even  so  late  as  1845  the  whole  amounted  to  no  more  than 
forty-six,  and  in  18G0,  when  the  Corps  attained  its  maximum 
strength,  there  were  hardly  ninety. 

As  before  stated,  war  was  declared  between  England  and 
France  in  1744,  and  early  next  year  the  first  naval  action  took 
place  between  the  two  nations,  in  the  Indian  Seas.     Commodore 


6  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1745-46. 

Barnet  had  been  sent  with  four  ships  to  protect  our  trade.  Two 
of  these  he  sent  to  Malacca,  and  with  the  others  he  proceeded 
himself  to  the  Straits  of  Bauca.  He  hoisted  Dutch  colours, 
and  waited  for  the  enemy.  Three  French  ships,  mounting 
thirty  guns  each,  and  laden  with  fine  cargoes,  appeared.  A 
smart  action  followed,  with  the  result  that  all  three  were 
captured.  Barnet's  other  two  vessels  also  captured  two  French 
vessels  from  Manilla,  with  freights  of  enormous  value.  Barnet 
was  now  anxious  to  go  still  further  to  the  East ;  but  the 
authorities  at  Madras  begged  him  to  repair  to  that  place,  and  he 
at  once  complied  with  their  request.  Admiral  Labourdonnais, 
Governor  of  the  Mauritius,  was  threatening  Madras,  thinking 
that  as  Barnet  had  been  obliged  to  send  two  of  his  vessels  home, 
he  would  be  able  easily  to  defeat  him.  Barnet  had,  however, 
been  reinforced  by  three  vessels,  and  had  added  one  of  his 
prizes  to  his  squadron,  so  that  he  was  actually  stronger  than  he 
had  been  in  1745. 

Labourdonnais  left  the  Mauritius  early  in  spring  of  174C,  and 
in  June  arrived  on  the  coast.  He  had  eight  ships,  carrying  130 
more  guns  than  the  English  ;  but,  in  spite  of  this,  owing  to  the 
guns  of  the  French  being  of  an  inferior  calibre  to  ours,  the 
advantage  was  really  with  us.  Had  Barnet  still  been  in 
command,  Tiabourdonnais  would  have  been  defeated;  but  in 
April  1740,  Barnet  had  died  at  Fort  St.  David,  and  Captain 
Peyton,  of  the  Medicay,  had  succeeded  to  tlie  command.  He 
had  six  ships  cruising  north  of  Ceylon,  when  Labourdonnais 
came  in  sight.  Instead  of  engaging  in  a  battle,  Peyton,  taking 
advantage  of  the  better  sailing-quality  of  his  ships,  refused  an 
engagement,  contented  himself  with  a  cannonade,  and  next  day 
actually  fled  to  Trincomallee — leaving  Labourdonnais  master  of 
the  seas.  The  latter  went  leisurely  to  Pondicherry,  refitted  his 
ships,  and  supplied  them  with  heavier  guns.  In  the  beginning 
of  August  he  again  came  in  sight  of  Peyton,  who  again  fled, 
when  Labourdonnais  set  himself  to  the  reduction  of  Madras. 


1746^7.]  MADEAS    ENGINEEES.  7^. 

Fort  St.  George  was  insufficient  to  repel  a  large  European 
force. 

On  3rd  September  1740,  the  French  squadron  anchored 
south  of  Madras,  with  1,100  soldiers,  400  Caffres,  400  natives, 
and  2,000  French  seamen. 

The  English  garrison  was  only  200  men. 

The  troops  were  landed  on  4th  September,  and  on  the  7th 
bombarded  the  fort  from  a  battery  of  nine  mortars  to  the  west, 
500  yards  distant  from  the  walls. 

In  the  evening  some  of  the  ships  cannonaded  the  town. 

On  the  8th,  a  battery  of  five  mortars  was  put  up  to  the  south, 
and  the  bombardment  was  continued  till  the  10th  September, 
when  the  fort  surrendered,  and  Madras  passed  into  possession 
of  the  French.  The  English  had  seven  men  killed  and 
wounded. 

Mr.  (after  Lord)  Olive,  was  a  writer  at  Madras.  He  became 
a  prisoner  of  war,  but  escaped,  disguised  as  a  native,  to  Fort 
St.  David. 

The  Government  was  now  transferred  to  Fort  St.  David. 

On  9th  December  174G,  a  French  force  of  1,700  men  invested 
Fort  St.  David.  They  drove  in  the  irregular  peons  who  had 
been  armed  by  the  English  to  protect  the  territory  round  Fort 
St.  David;  but  the  Nabob's  army,  coming  up  to  the  assistance 
of  the  English,  surprised  the  French,  and  threw  them  into  con- 
fusion. The  garrison  thereupon  made  a  sally,  and  drove  the 
French  back  several  miles. 

The  French  continued  to  invest  the  place  till  19th  February 
1747. 

The  English  garrison  was  now  reinforced  from  England,  and 
marched  out  and  gave  battle.  An  English  fleet  appeared,  and 
the  enemy  raised  the  siege. 

Our  squadron  now  consisted  of  eleven  good  ships.  The 
result  of  the  reinforcement  was  that  Dupleix  was  blockaded  in 
Pondicherry  (Labourdonnais   had    returned    to    the   Mauritius, 


8  MILITAKY   HISTOKY   OF    THE  [1747. 

chiefly  owing  to  Dapleix's  jealousy),  and  our  naval  superiority 
was  re-established. 

The  English  fleet  was  commanded  by  Commodore  Griffin, 
who  recommended  the  Governor  to  commence  on  new  works  for 
the  more  perfect  defence  of  Fort  St.  David.  Mr.  George  Jones, 
engineer,  was  accordingly  directed  to  survey  the  fortifications, 
and  send  in  a  report.  On  25th  April  1747,  he  forwarded  this 
report  to  the  Governor  in  Council,  with  plan  and  estimates. 
"  The  Board  considered  that  the  works  ought  to  be  cai'ried  out 
with  the  utmost  vigilance  and  expedition  before  the  Monsoon 
sets  in."  This  report  had  been  called  for  by  Mr.  Hinde, 
Governor  of  Fort  St.  David,  but  he  having  died  meantime,  the 
report  was  presented  to  Charles  Floyer,  Esq.,  who  had  succeeded 
him  on  15th  April  1747. 

Mr.  Jones  considered  the  fort  w\as  too  weak  and  defective  to 
enable  us  to  make  an  effective  defence  against  the  French.  He 
reported  that  the  fort  was  surrounded  with  a  fausse  braye  and  a 
ditch  of  fifty  feet. 

It  appears  that  the  fort  was  rectangular,  with  a  bastion  at 
each  corner. 

The  interior  space  was  150  yards  by  100,  or  rather  more  than 
three  acres.  The  whole  of  this  space  was  filled  with  buildings 
and  warehouses,  and  hence  the  efi'eots  of  a  bombardment  would 
be  dreadful. 

He  recommended  a  horn-work  on  the  north  side,  having  140 
yards  of  "  cassimated  masonry."  "''The  guns,  from  the  curtains 
thereof,  will  enfilade  the  approaches  from  the  Colloway."  On 
the  east  and  west  sides  he  proposed  lunettes ;  each  to  have  four 
magazines  for  powder,  and  in  addition  to  this,  there  was  to  be  a 
covertway  and  glacis. 

He  suggested  that  a  "very  able  hand  should  be  sent  from 
England,  as  it  was  highly  necessary." 

It  is  presumed  that  these  recommendations  were  carried  out 
not    long    after,    as,    when  the    French   attacked    the    fort    in 


1748.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  9 

May  1708,  it  appears  to  have  been  as  recommended  by  Mr. 
Jones. 

The  Court  of  Directors  would  seem  to  have  approved  of 
Mr.  Jones'  suggestion  that  an  officer  should  be  sent  out  from 
England;  for  on  J. 3th  June  1748  we  find  that  Captain 
Alexander  Delavaux  arrived,  having  been  appointed  engineer 
and  captain  of  their  train  of  artillery  at  Fort  St.  David;  and 
Mr.  George  Jones  resigned. 

In  January  1748,  Major  Stringer  Lawrence  arrived  from 
England,  to  command  the  Company's  forces  in  India. 

On  17tli  June,  the  French  attacked  Cuddalore,  but  were 
repulsed  by  Lawrence.  On  2ith,  Lawrence  and  Delavaux 
reported  that  Fort  St.  David  might  be  kept  against  the  French  ; 
but  only  with  the  proviso  of  withdrawing  all  the  soldiers  into  it, 
and  leaving  Cuddalore  and  all  the  English  bounds  exposed  to 
the  enemy. 

The   Artillery   Company,   commanded   by  (Japtain  Delavaux, 

was  of  the  following  strength  : — 

Salary. 
1  First  Captain  and  Chief  Engineer 
1  Second  Captain  and  Engineer 
1  Captain-Lieutenant  and  Director  of 

Laboratory  ... 
1  First  Lieutenant  Fireworker 
1   Second  Lieutenant     do. 

1  Ensign  do. 
4  Sergeant  Bombardiers   ... 
4  Corporal         do. 

2  Drummers 
100  Gunners 

Admiral  Boscawen,  with  the  English  fleet,  arrived  at  Fort 
St.  David  on  29th  July,  and  there  found  the  squadron  under 
Admiral  Griffin. 

The  latter  resigned  the  command,  proceeded  to  Trincomallee, 
and  thence  to  England. 


200 

£ 

150 

55 

100 

)t 

75 

55 

GO 

55 

50 

55 

2s. 

per 

diem 

Is. 

.  (Id. 

55 

Is. 

55 

Is. 

55 

10  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1748. 

On  8th  August,  the  Company's  forces  marched  to  the 
siege  of  Pondicherry,  with  the  reinforcements  broug]it  by  the 
Admiral. 

The  force  consisted  of  the  following  : — 


Kinf/'s  Troops. 

12  Companies  of  100  men 

1,200 

800  Marines 

..               ...              ... 

800 

80  Artillery 

Company^s  Troops. 

80 

2,080 

1  Battahon 

...              ...              ... 

450 

70  Artillery 

...              ...              ... 

70 

Dutch  reinforcements 

120 

On  board 

ships,  1,000  seamen  ready 

to  be  la; 

uded  ... 

1,000 

3,720 

300  Topasses 



300 

4,020 

Besides  2,000  sepoys,  not  -well  disciplined. 

The  Company's  Artillery  was  no  doubt  the  train  just  formed 
and  commanded  by  Captain  Delavaux,  who  was  also  Chief 
Engineer.  The  army  approaching  Pondicherry  bounds  came  in 
sight  of  Fort  of  Ariancopang.  An  engineer  of  the  Company's 
troops  was  ordered  to  reconnoitre.  Orme  says  he  was  afraid  to 
go  near  enough,  and  reported  that  it  was  not  strong;  on 
which  an  attempt  was  made  to  storm  it.  The  English  troops 
were  assailed  with  musketry  and  grape-shot,  and  finally 
repulsed  with  heavy  loss.  It  was,  however,  determined  to  reduce 
the  fort.  The  English  engineers  erected  a  battery  on  the  south 
side  of  the  river ;    but  when  they  opened  fire  they  found  the 


17480  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  11 

guns  were  intercepted  by  a  thick  wood,  Orme  says,  the 
artillery  officers  erected  another,  with  greater  skill ;  and  fire  was 
kept  up  on  both  sides  with  but  little  execution.  The  French 
cavalry  advanced  to  the  entrenchment  close  to  the  battery  where 
the  sailors  were  posted.  A  panic  arose  and  they  fled.  Major 
Lawrence  was  taken  prisoner,  and  carried  off  to  Ariancopang. 

Tlie  same  day  a  severe  explosion  took  place  in  the  fort,  dis- 
abling nearly  100  men.  Some  hours  after,  the  French  blew  up 
the  fort  and  retired  rapidly  to  Pondicherry. 

The  English  took  possession  of  Ariancopang,  and  remained 
there  five  days  repairing  the  fort. 

On  26th  August  tlie  army  marched  and  took  possession  of 
Oullagary.  The  French  garrisons  in  the  redoubts  in  the  bound 
hedge  were  withdrawn. 

The  Engineers  recommended  that  the  town  should  be  attacked 
on  the  north-west  side. 

On  30th  August  the  army  broke  ground  at  a  distance  of 
1,500  yards,  and  Orme  says,  "  by  this  the  engineers  showed 
themselves  little  skilled  in  their  art." 

Two  sorties  were  made  by  the  French,  but  on  both  occasions 
they  were  repulsed. 

The  approaches  were  carried  on  very  slowly  owing  to  a  want 
of  experience. 

Two  batteries  of  three  guns  were  raised  within  J, 200  yards. 
After  much  labour  the  trenches  were  advanced  to  within  800 
yards  of  the  walls. 

It  was  then  found  that  a  large  morass  was  before  this  part  of 
the  town  ;  that  is  on  the  west  side. 

Two  batteries  began  to  fire  on  2Gth  September — one  of  eight 
and  the  other  of  four  pieces  of  18  and  24-pounders;  besides 
these  there  was  a  bomb  battery  of  five  mortars,  and  fifteen 
Koyals  and  fifteen  Cohorns, 

The  French  now  opened  several  embrasures  in  the  curtain  and 
began  to  fire  from   two  or  three  batteries  on  the  crest  of  the 


12  MILITARY   HISTORY    OP    THE  Ul 

glacis,  so  that  tbe  fire)  of  tlie  besiegers  became  less  powerful 
than  that  of  the  enemy.  Admiral  Boscawen  ordered  the 
ships  to  batter  the  town,  but  this  was  not  found  to  be  of 
much  use. 

The  fire  from  tlie  batteries  continued  three  days  longer, 
that  from  the  town  increased,  and  dismounted  nine  of  our 
pieces. 

Very  little  impression  was  made  on  the  defences  ;  sickness 
prevailed  in  camp,  and  the  monsoon  had  set  in,  so  a  council  of 
war  was  summoned,  and  on  30th  September  it  was  determined 
to  raise  the  siege. 

The  cannon  and  heavy  stores  were  embarked  on  the  ships, 
and  the  batteries  destroyed.  On  Cth  October  the  troops  began 
to  march,  having  previously  blown  up  the  fort  at  Ariancopang. 

During  the  siege  the  English  lost  1,0G5  Europeans. 
757  Infantry. 
43  Artillery. 
265  Seamen. 

Very  few  sepoys  were  killed,  as  they  generally  ran  away  on 
the  approach  of  danger.  Orme  blames  the  engineers  for  the 
failure  in  most  unmeasured  terms.  He  says,  "  The  engineers 
were  utterly  unqualified  for  the  enterprise,  but  the  artillerymen 
and  officers  knew  their  business." 

It  must  be  remembered  that  the  Company's  Artillery  had 
only  lately  been  raised,  and  that  the  officer  commanding  the 
Artillery  was  also  Chief  Engineer.  No  doubt  the  engineers 
appear  to  have  blundered  from  want  of  experience,  and, 
perhaps,  from  the  indifferent  quality  of  the  men  at  their 
disposal. 

In  the  event  of  failures,  it  frequently  happens  that  the 
engineers  have  to  suffer  the  odium  of  want  of  success,  but 
when  successful  they  have  been  too  often  denied  the  credit 
justly  theirs,  which  is  calmly  appropriated  by  the  general 
commanding. 


1749.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  13 

111  January  17-19  news  was  received  of  a  peace  between 
England  and  France,  and  for  a  time  hostilities  ceased  between 
the  two  nations  in  India. 

On  the  20th  April  1749,  Captain  Delavaux  informed  the 
Council  that  he  was  suffering  from  a  disease  from  which  he  was 
not  likely  to  recover,  and  requested  to  be  allowed  to  retire  from 
the  service  and  proceed  to  Europe. 

His  request  was  complied  with,  and  one  of  the  lieutenants 
of  the  Train  of  Artillery  was  directed  to  take  charge  of  the 
company  and  oversee  the  fortifications. 

The  English  and  French,  unable  to  fight  against  one  another 
in  India  owing  to  the  peace,  determined  to  assist  the  native 
princes  in  their  disputes. 

Towards  the  end  of  January,  accordingly,  a  force  left  Fort 
St.  David,  under  Captain  Cope,  to  assist  in  reinstating  Sahojee, 
ex-Rajah  of  Tanjare,  on  his  throne. 

This  force  suffered  from  a  storm  while  at  Porto  Novo.  After 
repairing  damages,  it  penetrated  into  the  Tanjore  country,  but 
not  getting  expected  assistance  from  the  inhabitants,  was 
compelled  to  retire  to  Porto  Novo,  and  next  day  marched  to 
attack  Devicottah.  Having  no  battering  train,  it  was  obliged 
again  to  retire  to  Fort  St.  David. 

The  English,  considering  the  possession  of  Devicottah  to  be 
of  great  importance,  sent  a  force  against  it  under  the  command 
of  Major  Lawrence. 

On  27th  May  1749,  the  troops  embarked  and  anchored  off 
Devicottah,  two  days  after.  On  the  29th  and  80th  the  troops 
landed;  on  2nd  June  they  began  to  make  fascines,  &:c.;  and 
on  the  5th  opened  ground. 

On  the  8th  a  battery  opened  fire  on  the  town,  at  daybreak, 
for  a  few  minutes,  and  then  the  place  was  summoned  in  the 
name  of  Sahojee,  ex-King  of  Tanjare. 

Lawrence  waited  two  hours,  and,  having  received  no  reply, 
ordered  our  guns  and  mortars  to  open  fire  briskly.     This  fire 


14  MILITAEY   HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1749. 


shattered  the  wall  very  much,  and  nearly  dismounted  all  the 
enemy's  gims. 

On  the  11th  a  small  body  of  Marines  were  landed  to  look 
after  tlie  baggage,  while  Lawrence  attacked  the  place.  That 
night  we  were  prevented  crossing  the  river  by  heavy  rain. 
"Mr.  More,  the  carpenter  of  tlie  train,  passed  the  river  the 
same  night,  and  made  fast  the  rope  to  the  other  side  of  the  river 
to  pass  our  float."  As  the  English  battery  was  on  marshy 
ground,  Major  Lawrence  feared  that  another  day's  rain  would 
have  rendered  it  impossible  to  attempt  anything,  and  he  deter- 
mined to  attack  on  the  l2th  at  1  p.m.  They  passed  the  river  by 
the  "float"  (raft)  made  by  Mr.  More,  to  the  number  of  700 
sepoys  and  41)0  Europeans.  Lieutenant  Clive  was  ordered  to 
drive  the  enemy  from  the  entrenchment  on  the  left,  and  300 
sepoys  were  posted  on  the  right  to  secure  our  right  flank. 

Lieutenant  Clive  was  repulsed,  not  having  been  properly 
supported  by  the  sepoys ;  however,  another  party  was  sent 
forward  to  attack  the  entrenchment,  under  Sergeant  Brown,  and 
Captain  Dalton,  with  the  Grenadiers,  followed  by  the  main 
body,  attacked  the  breach,  and  were  in  the  possession  of  the 
fort  by  5  o'clock. 

In  August  1749,  Major  Lawrence  and  two  others  met 
M.  Dupleix  and  five  others,  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the 
terms  of  the  evacuation  of  Eort  St.  George  by  the  French. 

1st  Article  of  Treaty. — The  gentlemen  named,*  to  go  to 
Madras  and  take  an  inventory  of  efi'ects,  artillery,  &c. 

2nd. — Inventory  being  finished,  the  day  the  town  is  to  be 
evacuated  to  be  settled. 

3rd. —  On  the  day  agreed  on,  English  troops  to  be  carried  by 
sea.  The  French  will  march  out  by  sea-gate,  Avhile  the  English 
go  in  by  St.  Thomas'  Gate. 

4th. — As  soon  as  French  troops  have  embarked,  the  French 

*  Major  S.  Lawrence,  Mr.  Alexander  W'ynch,  Mr.  Foss  Wissott, 


1749.]  MADKAS    ENGINEERS.  15 

commandant  will  deliver  the  keys  to  the  English  Commissioner 
and  Admiral  Boscawen. 

On  2nd  September  1749  the  commissioners  appointed  pro- 
tested against  taking  Fort.  St.  George,  as  they  asserted  that  it 
was  not  in  the  condition^stated  in  9th  Article  of  Treaty;  guns, 
mortars,  and  warlike  stores  having  been  carried  away. 

Although  Madras  was  given  up  to  the  English  in  1749,  the 
head-quarters  of  the  English  Government  remained  at  Fort 
St.  David  till  1751. 

The  Court  of  Directors  about  this  time  appear  to  have  been 
seriously  alarmed  regarding  the  state  of  the  forts. 

On  8th  December  1749,  the  Court  of  Directors  appointed 
Benjamin  Robins,  Esq.,  Engineer-General  and  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  Artillery  of  all  settlements  in  East  Indies  and  St. 
Helena.  He  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  Fort  St.  David, 
then  to  Fort  St.  George,  Fort  William,  to  Bombay  and 
St.  Helena. 

The  following  were  sent  with  him  as  assistants : — 

£ 

John  Brohier,  Esq.        ...          ...  salary  40 

Nathaniel  Carrington     ...          ...  „       20 

Charles  O'Hara „       20 

Sampson  Morrice            ...          ...  „       20 

Charles  Knapton             ...          ...  ,,       20 

Philip  Glass       „       20 

In  addition  to  these  salaries  £20  a  month  was  allowed  for 
their  diet. 

Mr.  Robins  was  under  covenant  to  contmue  in  India  until  the 
despatch  of  the  last  ships  from  the  place  where  he  shall  be 
resident  between  the  months  of  January  and  March  17o3-j4. 
And  if  he  lost  his  passage  outward  bound,  until  same  time  in 
1754-55.  Mr.  Robins  was  to  receive  the  same  civil  and  military 
honours  as  the  third  in  Council. 

Houses  in  the  fort  were  to  be  provided  for  Mr.  Robins  and  his 


16  MILITAET   HISTOEY   OF    THE  [1749. 

assistants.  A  smith  (Robeft  Barrowcliffe)  and  a  carpenter 
(Israel  Selfe)  were  also  to  proceed,  and  to  be  under  orders  of 
Chief  Engineer.  Their  salary  was  to  be  i'60  each  per  annum, 
and  they  contracted  to  serve  for  five  years. 

It  ajDpears  that  some  time  before,  a  Mr.  Thomas  Heath  had 
been  sent  out  to  be  trained  up  under  Captain  Delavaux.  He 
was  represented  as  not  having  a  turn  for  the  profession  of  an 
engineer.  The  Court  accordingly  directed  Mr.  Eobins  to  "  have 
a  trial  of  him,  and  if  he  finds  him  incapable  or  unwilling  to 
assist  him,  he  is  to  be  sent  home  by  one  of  the  first  ships." 
Kesult  of  trial  not  known. 

Mr.  Robins  was  a  very  distinguished  scientific  artillerist.  He 
was  the  inventor  of  the  ballistic  pendulum.  He  was  also  the 
real  narrator  of  Lord  Anson's  voyage  round  the  world. 

Mr.  Robins  planned  the  fortifications  of  Fort  St.  David  and 
Madras.  When  the  French  delivered  Fort  St.  George  to  us  in 
1749  it  was  incapable  of  a  long  defence  against  Europeans,  and 
the  internal  area  was  only  fifteen  acres.  An  addition  had  been 
projected  in  1743  by  Mr.  Smith.  This  project  doubled  the  area 
of  the  fort.  The  ditch  which  marked  its  limits  was  then  dug, 
and  faced  with  brick,  and  was  supplied  with  water  from  northern 
river,  but  nothing  was  then  raised  above  the  surface. 

Mr.  Robins  approved  generally  of  Mr.  Smith's  project  and 
completed  the  plans,  but  was  unable  to  finish  the  works  owing 
to  his  death,  which  took  place  at  Fort  St.  David  on  July  29th, 
1751. 

Orme  calls  Mr.  Robins  a  man  of  great  science.  Mr.  Nourse, 
an  eminent  bookseller,  in  1761  was  preparing  for  the  press  the 
learned  works  of  Air  Robins  under  the  care  of  Dr.  James 
Wilson.     He  says  in  preface  : — 

"  Mr.  Robins'  abilities  as  an  engineer,  I  have  heard  highlv 
praised  by  many  intelligent  persons  who  have  been  on  the  spot ; 
and  what  is  still  more,  I  have  been  informed  (by  Mr.  Orme)  that 
they  were  approved  of  by  the  brave  Colonel  Clive." 


1750-51.] 


MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  17 


In  the  years    1160-d2  it  does  not  appear    that  any   of  the 
Engineers  were  employed  on  active  service  against  the  enemy. 

It  was  probably  thought  of  more  importance  that  they  should 
attend  to  the  fortifications  of  Fort  Saint  David,  &c. 

On  26th  June  1751,  however,  we  find  that  "  Mr.  Olive  having 
arrived  from  camp  yesterday,  communicated  to  the  President 
that  Captain  Gingens  finding  that  he  could  not  get  permission 
by  fair  means  for  the  troops  into  fort  of  Volconda,  the  coflfres  set 
the  suburbs  on  fire,  and  he  (Gingens)  with  the  main  body 
advanced  very  near  the  wall,  when  the  killadar  let  in  a  body  of 
French  troops  with  three  or  four  pieces  of  cannon,  which  imme- 
diately played  so  briskly  on  them,  he  was  compelled  to  retire 
out  of  reach  of  the  guns  ;  the  coolies  having  run  away,  a  good 
deal  of  the  baggage  was  lost.  The  troops  encamped  at  Vullatoor 
— a  very  strong  situation."  On  hearing  this,  Mr.  B.  Robins 
proposed  to  go  to  the  camp,  but  the  Council  were  of  opinion 
that  his  life  was  of  too  much  value  to  be  risked  in  this  way. 
Clive  having  taken  reinforcements  to  Trichinopoly  returned  in 
the  beginning  of  August,  and  representing  the  critical  situation 
of  afi'airs  at  Trichinopoly,  proposed  to  attack  A rcot,  offering  to 
lead  the  expedition  himself.  On  31st  August  he  took  Arcot 
without  opposition. 

The  detachment  with  which  he  effected  this  consisted  of  300 
sepoys  and  200  Europeans  with  eight  officers,  six  of  whom  had 
never  been  in  action,  and  four  of  these  six  had  not  previously 
belonged  to  the  army.  The  names  of  only  five  of  these  officers 
are  known. 

Clive  was  commanding ;  the  other  four  were  : — 
Ensign  Glass. 
Lieutenant  Bulkley. 
Lieutenant  Trenwith. 

Lieutenant  Revel,  the  only  artillery  officer. 
Ensign    Glass   was   a   volunteer,    and   distinguished    himself 
highly  in  the  memorable  defence  of  Arcot  by  Clive.     He  came 

2 


18  MILITAEY  HISTORY  OP   THE  ti76i-52. 

out  to  Fort  St.  David  as  one  of  Mr.  Benjamin  Robins'  assistants, 
his  name  being  Philip  Glass. 

The  French  during  the  siege  of  Arcot  took  possession  of 
Conjeveram,  and  surprised  a  party  of  disabled  men  returning; 
among  these  were  Revel  and  Glass. 

Clive  determined  to  attack  Conjeveram  and  summoned  it. 
The  French  commandant  ordered  Revel  and  Glass  to  write  to 
Clive  and  say  he  intended  to  expose  them  on  the  walls  if  he 
attacked  They  wrote  this,  but  said  they  hoped  no  regard  for 
their  safety  would  induce  him  to  discontinue  his  efforts.  After 
three  days  the  French  abandoned  the  Pagoda,  but  left  the  two 
prisoners  behind. 

On  29th  July  1751,  Mr.  Robins  expired  at  Fort  St.  David, 
literally  with  his  pen  in  his  hand. 

Mr  John  Brohier  was  put  in  entire  charge  of  the  works,  and 
"  the  young  gentlemen  who  were  under  Mr.  Robins "  were 
directed  to  assist  Mr.  Brohier. 

Mr.  Robins,  it  appears,  had  requested  that  Mr.  Brohier 
should  succeed  him,  and  also  that  Mr.  John  Call  (afterwards 
chief  engineer  at  defence  of  Fort  St.  George  in  1758-59)  should 
get  the  same  allowance  as  the  other  young  gentlemen,  as  he 
had  been  employed  by  Mr.  Robins  since  the  beginning  of  the 
year. 

Mr.  OHara  was  also  directed  to  assist  Mr.  Brohier  at  Fort 
St.  David,  Mr.  Charles  Knapton  being  employed  on  the  Com- 
pany's work  to  the  northward. 

On  22nd  of  September  1752,  Captain  Clive  advises  the  sur- 
render of  Sandet  Bunder,  or  Covelong.  On  30th  November  it 
was  resolved  to  destroy  it,  and  Mr.  John  Brohier  having  been 
called  upon  to  furnish  a  report,  stated  that  it  would  take  some 
time  and  many  wcjrkmen. 

It  was,  however,  resolved  on,  and  the  demolition  was  com- 
menced on  30th  December  1752. 

In  the  Madras  Government  Records  a  few  names  of  engineers 


1753-66.]  MADEAS   ENGINEEKS.  19 

are  found  here  and  there,  but  it  has  been  impossible  to  ascertain 
when  they  were  appointed,  or  where  they  came  from,  thus : — 

On  the  12th  February  1753,  we  find  that  a  Mr.  Thomas 
Taylor  reports  on  the  breastwork  at  Syrian.  Again,  in  1  754,  we 
find  that  Mr.  John  Smith  recommends  that  Mr.  Hopkins  should 
be  sent  to  Negrais,  as  "  being  skilled  in  fortifications  and  mari- 
time affairs."  Further  on  we  find  (11th  January  1754)  Mr. 
Charles  Knapton  (one  of  the  assistants  who  came  out  with 
Mr.  Robins)  desires  to  be  re-called  from  Negrais,  as  a  Mr. 
Hunter  is  there,  and  two  engineers  are  not  required  for  the 
place. 

In  August  1753,  Colonel  Caroline  Frederick  Scott  came  out 
as  Engineer  General,  apparently  on  somewhat  the  same  terms  as 
Mr.  Robins ;  he  landed  at  Madras,  but  set  out  immediately  for 
Bengal,  returning,  however,  on  15th  April  1754. 

Major  Lawrence  at  this  time  was  anxious  to  be  relieved  of 
his  command,  and  suggested  that  Colonel  Scott  should  be 
directed  to  relieve  him  on  his  arrival,  but  that  officer  declined  to 
do  so,  on  the  grounds  that  he  was  specially  sent  out  to  attend  to 
the  fortifications  of  Calcutta,  Madras,  &c. 

About  this  time  two  Train  Companies  were  formed,  118  men 
each.  Mr.  Brohier  was  appointed  second  Captain,  and  it  was 
stated  that  one  Captain  and  two  Lieutenants  were  coming  out 
from  England. 

During  the  next  few  years  the  information  available  regarding 
the  Engineers  is  very  scanty  and  unsatisfactory. 

In  1755,  a  Mr.  Raillaud  is  mentioned  in  the  records  as  "  a 
good  engineer  and  draughtsman,"  and  appointed  to  act  as 
lieutenant  (it  is  presumed  in  the  Train). 

In  1756,  Mr.  John  Call  was  the  engineer  at  Fort  St.  David, 
and  in  May  of  the  same  year  a  Mr.  Conradi,  who  "  had  been 
employed  for  two  years  under  the  engineer  at  Fort  St.  George," 
was  directed  to  assist  him  at  Fort.  St.  David. 

Mr.  Smith,  engineer,  was  ordered  from  Devicottah  to  Madras, 

2  * 


20  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1756. 

and  Lieutenant  Hume,  "  a  very  good  officer,  and  qualified  as  an 
engineer,"  to  succeed  him. 

Colonel  Scott  appears  to  have  died  at  Calcutta  about  the 
middle  of  1756,  for  in  September  of  that  year,  Mr.  Charles 
Frederick  Noble  (who  was  Colonel  Scott's  secretary),  writes  to 
say  that  Mr.  Wells  had  been  left  by  Colonel  Scott  to  carry  out 
the  works, 

The  Council  thereupon  directed  that  Mr.  Brohier  should  be 
assisted  in  his  work  by  Mr.  Charles  Noble,  Mr.  McDonald 
(volunteer  of  the  King's  Train),  and  Mr.  Leigh  (a  Company's 
servant,  brought  up  as  an  engineer). 

On  17th  June  175G,  Calcutta  was  taken  by  Suraja  Dowlah, 
and  the  tragedy  of  the  Black  Hole  took  place,  when  out  of  145 
men  and  one  lady  shut  up  in  a  close  room — not  twenty  feet 
square — but  twenty-three  ghastly  figures  were  brought  out  alive 
next  moruiug. 

After  considerable  loss  of  time,  a  force  was  sent  to  re-take 
Calcutta,  five  ships  of  war,  five  Company's  vessels,  with  900 
Europeans  and  1,500  sepoys  under  Colonel  Clive  and  Admiral 
Watson.  Clive  entered  Calcutta  on  2nd  January  1757,  when 
the  fort  surrendered  at  discretion.  Clive  at  once  sent  down  to 
Madras  for  an  engineer,  and  the  Council,  after  a  good  deal  of 
hesitation,  directed  Captain  John  Brohier  to  go  to  Calcutta,  and 
place  himself  at  the  disposal  of  Colonel  Clive. 

Mr.  John  Call  was  ordered  to  re-place  him  at  Fort  St. 
George. 

Mr.  Hume  was  to  proceed  to  Fort  St.  David,  and  Mr.  Conradi 
had  to  take  charge  of  Devicottah.  Mr.  McDonald  and  Mr. 
Charles  Noble  appear  to  have  gone  to  Calcutta  as  Captain 
Brohier's  assistants. 

Captain  Brohier  does  not  appear  to  have  left  Madras  till  June, 
a  few  days  before  the  battle  of  Plassey.  John  Dyer,  a  master- 
bricklayer,  accompanied  him. 

On  his  way  up  to   Calcutta,  Captain  Brohier  was  ordered  to 


175&-58.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  21 

land  at  Vizagapatam,  survey  the  fortifications,  and  give  his 
advice  to  Mr.  Percival,  who  was,  it  is  presumed,  the  chief  civil 
officer  there. 

Captain  Brohier  landed  on  24th  June,  at  Vizagapatam,  and 
found  it  invested  by  the  French.  He  examined  the  works,  and 
finding  them  untenable  with  the  troops  in  it,  resolved  to  embark, 
and  leave  Lieutenant  Elly  to  cover  retreat  and  make  the  best 
terms  he  could. 

Monsieur  Bussy  summoned  the  fort,  and  finally  marched  in 
the  French  force,  consisting  of  830  Europeans,  infantry, 
artillery  and  cavalry,  200  Mahrattas,  and  G,000  sepovs. 

Captain  John  Brohier  now  proceeded  on  to  Calcutta,  and  was 
entrusted  with  the  plan  and  erection  of  Fort  William. 

"  The  works  now  progressed  rapidly,  and  in  the  month  of 
September  the  enceinte  was  completed,  as  also  the  ravelins  and 
covered-way  ;  the  facing  of  the  masonry  of  the  escarpment  was 
in  a  forward  state,  the  covered-way  palisaded,  and  the  bridges 
and  drawbridges  well  advanced ;  the  cost  of  all  this  already 
amounted  to  twenty-two  lacs  of  rupees.*  So  badly  was  the 
masonry  executed,  however,  that  the  greater  part  had  sub- 
sequently to  be  re-built,  when  the  height  of  the  works  was 
considerably  increased." 

Mr.  John  Call  became  the  chief  engineer  at  Madras,  as  we 
have  seen,  and  during  the  year  17.07  was  engaged  in  improving 
the  forts  at  Chingleput,  Fort  St.  David,  and  Fort  St  George. 

Early  in  1758,  Mr.  Call  submitted  a  letter  regarding  Fort  St. 
George.     He  names  the  several  works  as  follows : — 

The  bastion  lately  built  at  north.) 

r.  .  1      The  Koyal  Bastion, 

west  corner  01  town     ...  ...i  •' 

Bastion  north-east  corner  ...       The  Demi  Bastion. 

Gate   to    be  built   between    these) 
,       .  The  North  Gate, 

bastions  ...  ...  ...) 

*  Report  of  Committee  of  Secrecy,  appointed  November  4th,  Appendix  No.  4. 
Broom's  History  oj  Rise  and  Progress  of  the  Bengal  Army,  p.  203. 


22  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF  THE  [1758. 

Redoubts  before  this  gate  ...  North  Eedoubt. 

Gate  to  the  east  ...  ...  ...  Sea  Gate. 

Redoubt  before  Sea  Gate  ...  Sea  Gate  Redoubt. 

Bastion  south-east  corner  ...  St.  Thomas'  Bastion. 

Bastion  south-west  corner  ...  The  Nabob's  Bastion. 

Gate  on  south  curtain      ..  ...  St,  Thomas'  Gate. 

Earthen  bastion,  north  of  Nabob's) 


_,      .  I      Lawrence  Bastion. 

Bastion  ...  ...  •••) 

Earthen  bastion,  south   of  Royal)      ^.      ,    r.      • 
.^      .  \     riffot  s  Bastion. 

Bastion  )  ^ 

Gate  in  curtain  between  them    ...       St.  George's  Gate. 

The  redoubts  to  be  placed  in  front)  ■    t^    ,     , 

„  F      bt.Georffe  s  Redoubts. 

01  gate  ...  ...  ..')  ° 

Early  in  May,  the  Council  having  learned  that  the  French 
had  received  great  reinforcements,  thought  it  necessary  to  pro- 
vide, in  the  best  manner  possible,  for  the  defence  of  Madras, 
and  accordingly  asked  for  Mr.  Call's  advice. 

He  recommended  "  redoubts  in  places  of  arms  to  north  and 
west,  as  well  as  a  lunette  to  south  ;  that  the  ditch  which  now 
extended  one-half  the  length  of  south  curtain  be  carried  entirely 
along,  and  round  St.  Thomas'  Bastion ;  and  a  battery  erected  in 
south-east  angle  of  covered-way,  to  defend  and  cover  St. 
Thomas'  Bastion." 

The  south  part  of  the  fort  being  the  weakest,  he  argued  that 
the  works  in  that  part  should  be  first  put  in  hand. 

There  were  two  cisterns  in  the  fort — one  under  Nabob's 
Bastion,  to  hold  33,4(S0  gallons,  another  under  Charles'  Bastion, 
to  hold  23,532  ;  total,  57,012  gallons.  He  estimated  this  to  be 
one-ninth  of  what  was  necessary. 

The  water  of  several  wells  in  the  town  he  reported  "  drink- 
able, but  cannot  be  depended  upon."  He  thought  it  "  necessary 
to  make  more  cisterns,  but  there  being  now  no  time,  the  best 
thing  to  do  is  to  fill  all  small  tanks,  casks,  and  jars  that  were  in 
the  place." 

Later  on   (in  November),  he  lined  out   two   lunettes  on  the 


1758.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  23 

glacis,  to  cover  old  south  curtain  and  increase  the  fire  from  that 
part. 

He  proposed  to  secure  Black  Town,  by  constructing  two 
dams  in  river  to  the  west,  one  by  the  bound  hedge,  and  the  other 
near  the  Arrack  Distillery,  to  keep  back  the  water,  and  make  an 
inundation  over  the  country  near  the  river. 

"  The  defects  of  the  bound  hedge  to  be  made  good  with 
caldera-bushes,  and  between  each  brick  out-guard,  a  redoubt  of 
palmyra  trees  to  be  raised ;  barricades  to  be  made  across  the 
street." 


24  MILITAKY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1758. 


CHAPTEK    II. 

Siege  of  Fort  St.  David. — Its  capture  by  the  French. — Lally  fails  at  Tanjore. — 
Siege  of  Madras. — Formation  of  European  and  Native  Pioneers. — Preston 
marches  to  Arcot. — Engineers  granted  commissions. — Siege  of  Madras 
raised. — Colonel  Lawrence  takes  Poonamallee  and  Tripassare. — He  marches 
towards  Conjeveram. — Brereton  takes  command. — Lawrence  and  Draper 
return  to  England. — Capture  of  Conjeveram.— Brereton  attacks  Wandewash. 
— Repulse  of  the  English. — Coote  takes  command. — Capture  of  Wandewash. 
— Carangooly  taken. — Defects  of  Wandewash. — Improvements  of  Fort  St. 
George. — French  attack  Wandewash. — Coote  defeats  the  French. — Death  of 
Brereton. — Coote  takes  Chettipet. — Wood  invests  Arcot. — Capture  of  Arcot. 
— Coote  attacks  Waldour. — Siege  of  Karical  by  Monson. — Party  of  Pioneers 
take  Chillumbrum. — Verdachellum  surrendered. — Coote  takes  Villenoure 
and  Waldour — Coote  superseded  by  Monson. — Monson  wounded. — Coote 
re-assumes  the  command. — Siege  of  Pondicherry. — Great  storm  at  Pondi- 
cherry. — St.  Thomas'  redoubt  captured. — French  capitulate. — Sufferings  of 
French. — Ginjee  invested. — Thiagar  blockaded. — Pondicherry  destroyed. — 
Mahe  capitulates. — Ginjee  taken. — The  French  lose  every  place  in  India. — 
Coote  goes  to  Bengal. 

In  May  1758,  the  French  proceeded  under  Mr.  Lally  to 
attack  Fort  St.  David.  On  the  15th  the  French  engineers  erected 
a  battery  of  two  24 -pounders  on  the  north  bank  of  the  river  of 
Bandapollem. 

"Fort  St.  David  could  not  be  attacked  by  regular  approaches 
from  the  south,  owing  to  the  river,  but  on  north  and  west  the 
ground  was  rather  advantageous  to  the  enemy." 

The  body  of  the  place  was  small,  being  only  150  yards  west 
to  east,  and  100  yards  north  and  south. 


•]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  25 

The  bastions  each  mounted  twelve  guns.  The  outworks  were  a 
horn  work  to  north  with  thirty-four  guns,  two  large  ravelins 
east  and  west,  with  a  ditch  all  round  which  had  a  cuvette  sup- 
plied from  the  river  ;  scarp  and  counter-scarp  were  faced  with 
brick  ;  a  broad  covered  way,  palisaded  with  arrows  at  salient 
angles,  commanding  the  glacis,  and  the  glacis  itself  provided 
with  well-constructed  mines. 

The  ground  to  the  north  of  the  fort  is  sandy,  with  large 
hillocks  here  and  there. 

This  ground  was  included  by  the  sea,  the  rivers  Ponniar 
and  Tripapolore,  and  a  canal  joiniug  them.  On  the  edge  of  the 
canal,  1,300  yards  north  of  the  fort,  stood  an  obsolete  redoubt 
called  Chuckly  Point.  200  yards  to  right  of  this  stood  another 
redoubt  on  a  saud-liill  culled  Patch aree  400  yards  in  rear  of 
this  was  another  much  larger  sand-hill  called  Thevanapatam  ;  a 
fascine  battery  was  raised  on  this  hill.  To  the  west  of  this  hill 
there  was  a  bridge  over  the  canal,  commanded  by  a  gateway  with 
a  narrow  rampart  and  battlements. 

The  garrison  iu  Fort  St.  David  consisted  of  619  Europeans, 
of  whom  2SG  were  effective  military,  83  pensioners,  and 
250  seamen  (crews  of  Triton  and  Bridyewater )  besides 
1,600  natives. 

On  I5th  May  the  French  attacked  the  posts  in  the  sand 
with  three  columns,  the  division  on  the  right  to  attack  the 
bridge  near  Thevanapatam,  the  centre  was  to  attack  Chuckly 
Point,  and  the  left  to  cross  the  canal  where  it  joins  the  Ponniar. 
The  right  division  found  the  bridge  destroyed,  the  centre  could 
not  find  the  expected  ford,  and  they  both  therefore  halted.  The 
left  division  easily  crossed  near  the  Ponniar.  The  centre  division 
learning  this,  marched  and  crossed  at  the  same  point,  wliile  the 
right  division  remained  in  front  of  the  broken  bridge.  Chuckly 
and  Patcharee  Point  were  both  attacked  at  the  same  time,  and 
in  half  an  hour  carried.  The  two  divisions  then  marched  on 
the  Thevanapatam  battery. 


26  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1758. 

After  a  spirited  resistance  of  two  hours  the  enemy  got  pos- 
session of  it,  and  all  the  Europeans  were  made  prisoners. 

The  French  retired  from  the  Thevanapatam  Hill,  but  held  the 
other  two  points. 

On  the  loth  the  enemy  broke  ground,  and  carried  a  trench 
from  Chuckly  to  Patcharee  ;  and  by  the  19th  they  had  advanced 
to  the  Hill  of  Thevanapatam. 

The  next  day  they  opened  another  trench  from  Thevanapatam 
to  the  bridge,  and  repaired  the  latter. 

By  this  time  only  200  of  the  sepoys  remained  in  the  garrison, 
The  enemy  worked  on  till  the  20th,  constructing  four  batteries 
and  carrying  on  their  trenches  from  Thevanapatam  towards  the 
north-east  angle  of  the  glacis.  The  fort  continued  all  this  time  to 
lavish  their  fire.  The  enemy's  fire  up  to  this  had  merely  con- 
sisted of  five  mortars  to  the  west,  but  on  the  26th  a  battery  of 
seven  guns  opened.  On  the  27th  some  of  the  sailors  broke  into 
the  treasury,  procured  some  arrack  and  got  very  drunk. 

By  the  30th  the  enemy  were  within  200  yards  of  the  glacis, 
and  opened  three  other  batteries,  one  of  three  guns  with  five 
mortars  against  north-west  bastion,  another  of  six  guns  and  four 
mortars  on  Thevanapatam  Hill,  and  the  third  of  four  guns  300 
yards  to  the  south-east  of  Thevanapatam,  opposite  the  north-east 
bastion. 

The  north  face  was  enfiladed  by  a  battery  on  the  west,  and 
the  defences  on  this  side  had  already  suffered  so  much — both 
from  the  enemy's  shot  and  the  shock  of  their  own  firing — that 
they  could  barely  return  the  same  number  of  guns. 

Up  to  I  st  June  the  fire  still  continued.  The  enemy  carried 
their  trenches  to  the  foot  of  the  glacis  near  the  north-east  bastion, 
where  they  began  to  erect  a  battery.  AH  the  embrasures  in  the 
fort  commanding  this  point  were  mined,  and  as  the  French 
squadron  had  arrived,  and  could  land  a  large  number  of  men  and 
make  an  assault  which  the  garrison  were  not  in  a  position  to 
resist,   Major   Poller   and  Mr.    Wynch    determined   to   hold   a 


17S8.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  27 

Council  of  War,  at  which  it  was  decided  they  must  capitulate  on 
the  best  terms  obtainable. 

On  2nd  June  a  flag  of  truce  was  hoisted,  terms  were  arranged, 
and  at  G  p.m.  the  French  Grenadiers  were  admitted  into  the  fort. 
The  garrison  marched  out  and  delivered  up  their  arms  and  the 
ensigns  to  the  French,  and  they  were  all  marched  to  Pondicherry 
as  prisoners.  Lieutenant  Hume  appears  to  have  been  the  chief 
engineer  of  the  garrison.  Fort  St.  David  was  by  the  French 
razed  to  the  ground. 

Immediately  after  the  capture  of  Fort  St.  David  the  French 
took  possession  of  Devicottah,  the  garrison  having  abandoned  it 
on  the  approach  of  the  enemy. 

The  French  army  returned  to  Pondicherry,  and  on  the  7th 
Mr.  Lally  entered  in  triumph. 

Mr.  Lally,  to  secure  money  supplies  marched  to  Tanjore  to 
obtain  payment  of  a  bond  for  fifty-six  lacs  given  by  the  Rajah 
to  Chunda  Sahib.  He  found  it  impossible  to  get  what  he 
required,  and  proceeded  to  attack  Tanjore. 

The  English  managed  to  cut  off  his  supplies,  and  he  was  com- 
pelled to  return  to  Pondicherry  without  effecting  his  object.  He 
then  determined  to  drive  the  English  from  Madras.  On  the  29th 
November  the  French  army  moved  from  Coujeveram,  and  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  9th  December  1 75S  appeared  in  sight  of  theMount. 

The  English  force  under  Lawrence  retreated  the  next  day  from 
the  Mount  to  Choultry  Plain.  The  French  advanced  to  Mar- 
melon.  Our  army  retreated  to  the  Island,  and  our  parties  at 
St.  Thome  and  Egmore  fell  back  on  the  main  body. 

The  French  army  consisted  of  8,000  Europeans,  500  Black 
Horse  and  3,000  sepoys. 

English,  1758  Europeans  and  2,200  sepoys,  besides  200  horse 
belonging  to  Nabob,  and  of  little  use. 

On  14th  December  the  French  marched  from  Choultry 
Plain  by  Vepery  to  the  north  of  Black  Town,  and  by  8  a.m. 
were  in  full  possession  of  it. 


28  MILITARY   HISTOEY    OF    THE  [1758 

The  following  account  is  chiefly  taken  from  the  journal  of  the 
chief  engineer,  Captain  John  Call. 

A  sally  was  made  from  the  fort  under  Colonel  Draper  with 
500  men.  He  marched  out  at  the  West  Gate  over  the  old 
bridge  which  led  into  Pedda  Naik's  pettah.  Major  Brereton  with 
100  men  guarded  the  passes  by  the  old  hospital  to  cover 
Colonel  Draper's  retreat. 

Colonel  Draper  advanced  with  two  field-pieces  into  the  great 
street  of  the  pettah,  against  the  regiment  of  Lorraine  with  four 
field  pieces. 

The  enemy  were  driven  from  their  guns,  and  Colonel  Draper 
and  four  Grenadiers  advanced  to  take  them,  but  our  Grenadiers 
were  shaken,  and  did  not  advance  rapidly  Meantime,  Colonel 
Draper  learned  that  Lally's  regiment  was  advancing  in  support; 
he  thereupon  retreated,  and  retired  into  the  fort,  bringing  Count 
D'Estaing  prisoner. 

]\Teantime  the  engineers  were  engaged  in  making  a  dam  in  the 
"  gut,"  *  to  shut  up  the  communication  between  tlie  water  in 
the  river  and  the  ditch,  lest  the  enemy  should  cut  the  dam, 
which  kept  up  the  water  some  two  feet,  and  thereby  drain  so 
much  off. 

15th  December.  The  engineers  were  employed  in  making  two 
batteries — one  of  three  guns  to  cover  the  old  north-east  bastion, 
and  another  of  four  guns,  on  the  glacis  to  the  east,  a  little  south  of 
the  southern  flank  of  the  same  bastion,  from  the  covered-way 
to  the  surf. 

ICth.  A  "  black  fellow  "  was  hanged  this  evening  at  the  foot  of 
the  glacis,  as  a  spy. 

A  sally  took  place  this  night,  but  it  was  not  successful. 

17th.  The  Governor  told  the  garrison  that  five  days  after  the 
defeat  or  retreat  of  the  enemy  he  would  divide  50,000  rupees 
amongst  them. 

*  An  opening  between  the  river  and  the  ditch  to  the  west  of  the  Royal 
Bastion. 


1758.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  29 

Between  the  12tli  and  the  18th  no  less  than  thirty-three 
deserters  came  over  from  the  enemy. 

In  addition  to  Captain  John  Call,  who  was  chief  engineer, 
there  were  four  assistants — 

Captain  Lieutenant  Leigh,  engineer  ordinary. 
Lieutenant  Eiser,   H.M.'s  64th  Kegiment,  engineer  extra- 
ordinary. 
Lieutenant  Stevenson,  sub-engineer,  and 
Ensign  Cotsford,  practitioner  engineer. 

On  the  19th,  the  enemy  threw  up  two  breast-works,  one  behind 
the  other,  near  the  sea-side  to  the  north.  It  was  supposed  they 
intended  to  attack  the  north  face  of  north-east  Bastion,  so  it  was 
resolved  to  strengthen  the  demi  bastion. 

One  thousand  sepoys  were  sent  out  to  push  through  tlie  enemy 
at  Garden  House,  attack  St.  Thome,  and  try  to  spike  a  large  gun 
on  the  beach.  The  enemy  made  an  unexpected  opposition,  and 
the  sepoys  retreated  in  disorder  to  the  fort.  It  was  thus  seen 
that  no  dependence  could  be  placed  on  the  sepoys  in  attack. 

On  the  20th  a  new  Mayor  was  selected.  It  was  usual  to 
salute  him  with  nine  guns,  so  nine  were  shotted  on  the  Royal 
Bastion,  pointed  at  the  enemy,  and  discharged  in  his  honour. 
All  this  night  a  warm  fire  was  kept  up  from  the  Royal  Bastion  and 
north  lunette  on  besiegers'  trenches.  At  10  p.m.  a  sally  was 
made  to  spike  a  large  gun  in  Triplicane,  and  another  to  spike 
guns  on  the  island.  Neither  were  successful,  but  the  enemy 
was  much  annoyed  by  the  attempts. 

The  artillery  force  of  the  garrison  amounted  to  eleven  non- 
commissioned officers,  seventy- eight  privates,  and  155  lascars. 

On  the  23rd  the  Governor  received  intelligence  of  Colonel 
Forde  having  gained  a  complete  victory  over  the  French  in  the 
north  Circars ;  the  whole  garrison  were  put  under  arms,  marched 
into  the  covered- way,  and  having  brought  the  enemy  in  alarm  to 
the  front,  twenty  one  guns  were  fired  at  them,  and  three  running- 
fires  from  the  covered- way. 


30  MILITAEY   HISTOEY    OF    THE  [IT*. 

By  the  28th,  part  of  the  enemy's  battery,  near  Sumput  Kow's 
house,  was  visible,  also  their  barricade  across  the  street  in  Pedda 
Naik's  pettah,  opposite  the  bridge.  A  brisk  fire  was  kept  up 
on  these  works,  which  seemed  to  be  intended  for  a  principal 
battery  against  the  north-west  face  of  Eoyal  Bastion,  and  to 
enfilade  the  covered  way  of  north  front. 

Mr.  Lally  complained  of  our  firing  at  his  head-quarters,  and 
threatened  to  burn  Black  Town.  Captain  Call  remarks  on 
this,  *'  that  he  had  no  right  to  complain,  because  he  is  perhaps 
the  first  General  that  fixed  his  head-quarters  within  point  blank 
shot  of  a  fort,  and  lodged  a  regiment  and  ammunition  at  the 
same  place." 

The  English  working  parties  usually  consisted  of  100 
Europeans  and  200  to  300  sepoys. 

Captain  Preston  and  Usoff  Oawn  had  a  skirmish  with  the 
enemy  on  30th  December,  with  advantage  on  our  side. 

On  the  3 1st,  a  sally  was  made  to  the  south,  with  one  company 
of  Grenadiers,  troops  of  Horse,  and  1 ,000  sepoys  ;  no  opposition 
was  met  with. 

Captain  Preston  was  now  at  Trevembore,  two  miles  south  of 
St.  Thome,  and  proposed  to  make  a  large  circle  round  the 
enemy,  cut  off  their  supplies,  and  endeavour  to  take  Poonamallee 
and  Tripassore. 

On  2nd  January  the  enemy  began  to  fire  from  battery  of  six 
guns,  north  of  old  hospital,  to  enfilade  the  Royal  Bastion,  and 
batter  west  flank  of  the  demi-bastion. 

The  English  were  able  to  oppose  twelve  pieces,  and  the  French 
battery  was  soon  silenced,  and  two  of  their  guns  knocked  to 
pieces. 

The  French  continued  to  throw  shells  into  the  town. 

Five  more  deserters  came  in  to-day. 

On  the  5th,  the  engineers  erected  a  battery  of  five  pieces  on 
the  covered-way  before  salient  angle  of  the  demi-baston,  against 
the  enemy's  north  battery. 


1759.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  31 

On  the  6th,  the  French  opened  fire  in  real  earnest ;  the  fire 
on  the  2nd  was  merely  intended  to  engage  the  garrison,  while  a 
force  was  detached  to  attack  Captain  Preston,  south  of  St. 
Thome. 

They  fired  from  Lally's  hattery  near  the  sea  with  six  guns 
and  seven  mortars,  and  from  Lorraine's  battery  with  seven  guns 
and  a  howitzer.  They  had  a  mortar  or  two  to  the  west.  They 
threw  150  shells  and  200  shot,  but  our  fire  appeared  superior 
to  theirs.  Against  Lally's  battery  we  had  ten  guns,  and  against 
Lorraine  eleven  guns. 

On  the  7th,  fire  continued,  and  they  opened  another  battery 
to  the  left  of  the  burying-ground.  The  damage  done  by  the 
enemy  s  fire  was  not  great. 

Captain  Preston  having  been  attacked  at  Trivembore,  had  been 
obliged  to  retreat  in  some  disorder. 

As  soon  as  it  was  evident  that  the  enemy  were  about  to  open 
fire,  Captain  Call,  chief  engineer,  drew  out  the  following 
instructions  for  his  assistants  : — 

"  It  is  ordered  that  Captain  Lieutenant  Leigh,  engineer  in 
ordinary,  and  Ensign  Cotsford,  practitioner  engineer,  do  attend 
on  the  front,  attached  together,  and  Lieutenant  Eiser,  H.M.'s 
64:th,  engineer  extraordinary,  and  Lieutenant  Stephenson,  sub- 
engineer,  do  also  attend  together,  and  that  these  four  gentlemen 
relieve  each  other  every  twenty-four  hours,  at  the  same  time  as 
the  guard  is  relieved. 

"  That  the  senior  engineer  on  duty  every  twenty-four  hours 
do  make  a  report  to  me  if  any  very  extraordinary  occurrence 
happens ;  that  he  acquaint  the  senior  engineer  who  relieves  him 
with  such  observations  as  he  has  made  while  on  duty,  and  with 
the  nature  of  the  work  carrying  on,  and  also  reports  to  me,  by 
writing,  in  general  terms,  what  has  been  executed  during  his 
tour  of  duty 

"  That  the  senior  engineer  going  on  duty  every  morning  do 
attend  the  parade  and  receive  the  working*party,  which  he  is  to 


82  MILITABY   HISTORY   OP    THE  [1759. 

distribute  according  to  the  orders  he  has  received,  or  if  he  has 
none  in  particuhir,  in  such  a  manner  as  he  thinks  the  service 
may  require." 

"  That  the  senior  engineer  on  duty,  on  application  being 
made  to  him  by  any  military  or  artillery  officer  for  the  repairing 
or  security  of  any  work,  do  give  them  all  the  assistance  he  can, 
and  he  is  to  take  care  that  the  parapets,  embrasures,  platforms, 
and  the  works  in  general  are  kept  in  the  best  condition  possible. 

"  The  master  bricklayer  and  carpenter  have  orders  to  follow 
the  directions  of  the  engineers  on  duty,  and  give  all  the 
assistance  they  can  in  their  branches." 

On  the  night  of  the  7th  the  enemy  ceased  firing,  but  this 
proved  merely  a  lull  before  the  storm  ;  for  next  day  they  began 
with  a  heavier  fire,  the  damage  done  to  the  fort  being  greater 
than  before. 

"About  4  A.M.  on  the  7th,  the  garrison  were  surprised  with 
the  arrival  of  three  boats  with  a  Frenchman  in  each  ;  they  were 
the  same  which  had  been  sent  on  the  3rd  to  Sadras  with  some 
English  ladies.  The  French  having  seized  that  place  captured 
the  boats,  and  loading  them  with  150  shot  of  24-prs.,  100  empty 
cartridges,  50  steel  caps,  50  barrels  of  powder,  and  1,500  sand- 
bags, sent  them  back  with  a  soldier  in  each  to  Black  Town.  The 
boat  fellows  towards  the  morning  being  opposite  j\Iadras,  seized 
the  arms  of  the  sleeping  soldiers,  poured  water  on  the  locks, 
tied  up  the  men,  and  lauded  the  boats  at  our  sea-gate." 

On  8th  January  the  damages  to  the  works  began  to  get  more 
serious,  and  their  repair  of  vast  importance.  The  Chief 
engineer  having  found  the  soldiers  unused  to  such  duty,  and 
extremely  awkward  in  repairing  the  damaged  works,  recom- 
mended the  establishment  of  a  pioneer  company  composed  of 
volunteers  drawn  from  the  several  corps,  who  were  to  attend 
only  to  the  repair  of  the  works,  so  that  by  constantly  employing 
the  same  people  they  might  the  more  readily  execute  the  required 
services. 


1759.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  33 

The  company  consisted  of  six  sergeants,  six  corporals,  and 
eighty-eight  privates  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Meyer  assisted 
by  Ensign  West. 

Two  companies  of  sepoys  were  also  formed  with  proper 
officers  on  the  same  plan. 

The  men  of  the  European  Pioneer  Company  were  to  receive 
half  a  rupee  a  day  as  extraordinary  allowance. 

To-day,  a  shell  from  the  enemy  fell  on  a  house  full  of  saltpetre 
and  brimstone  which  took  fire,  and  could  not  be  put  out  for 
many  hours. 

The  enemy  were  observed  to  be  erecting  works  to  the  west  and 
south  by  which  the  town  would  be  fully  invested,  so  it  was 
resolved  to  effect  a  junction  with  Captain  Preston.  Preston  was 
to  march  to  tlie  Mount  from  Wendalore  on  the  11th,  and  then 
to  St.  Thome,  by  Trevembore,  by  daylight  on  the  1 2th.  On  the 
same  morning  a  force  of  400  Europeans  and  1,000  sepoys  with 
a  troop  of  horse  were  to  march,  attack  St.  Thome,  and  join 
Preston.  By  this  means  it  was  hoped  that  the  country  to  the 
south  might  be  kept  open. 

Up  to  8th  January  the  number  of  deserters  from  the  French 
amounted  to  fifty. 

On  the  9th,  a  smart  fire  kept  up  on  both  sides  all  day, 
and  there  were  two  explosions  in  French  batteries.  Our 
parapets  much  damaged.  A  sentinel  (lately  deserted  from  the 
French)  was  tried  for  quitting  his  post  and  plundering  ;  he  was 
hanged. 

10th. — The  enemy  carried  a  trench  from  Lally's  battery  150 
feet  west,  and  thence  a  zigzag  south-east  towards  the  sea; 
thev  also  began  a  trench  from  near  the  new  hospital  towards 
Pettah  bridge  Orders  given  to  the  engineers  to  set  up  a 
palisadoe  within  the  lunette  to  the  north  round  demi-bastion ; 
to  keep  1,000  sand-bags  filled  on  each  battery  of  front  attacked  ; 
to  keep  water- tubs  in  each  battery  to  wet  sand-bags;  to  fill 
sand-bags    with   earth    that   falls    from    bastions  into  the    dry 

3 


34  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1759. 

ditch ;  to  erect  a  strong  high  traverse  over  steps  leading  up  to 
Choultry  Gate  to  prevent  street  being  enfiladed  ;  to  erect 
another  traverse  to  secure  the  sick  in  hospital,  and  to  make  a 
report  to  the  Governor  every  evening  before  sunset  of  damage 
works  have  received,  and  number  of  men  required  for  working 
party. 

Owing  to  the  misconduct  of  the  cavalry  with  Captain  Preston, 
he  was  unable  to  effect  the  proposed  junction  to  south  of  Madras 
with  a  part  of  the  garrison,  and  marched  to  Arcot  to  try  to 
collect  a  better  body  of  cavalry.  The  Governor,  Mr.  Pigot, 
heard  of  this  movement  on  the  16th,  but  concealed  it  for  fear  of 
dispiriting  the  garrison. 

The  French  continued  to  carry  on  the  approaches. 

On  the  1 2th  a  sortie  was  made  (as  already  arranged)  to  the 
south  under  Major  Brereton  ;  it  was  successful  as  far  as  it  went 
and  two  guns  were  taken,  but  of  course  no  junction  was  eiFected 
with  Preston. 

14th. — Enemy  opened  a  battery  of  three  mortars  behind 
burying-ground  Three  explosions  took  place  in  rear  of  Lally's 
battery. 

18th. — Enemy  fired  from  Lally's  battery  with  fifteen  guns,  and 
from  a  work  near  the  bar  with  two  small  guns. 

19th. — Enemy  by  this  time  were  advanced  on  our  glacis,  and 
beyond  north-east  salient  angle  by  the  seaside. 

The  Governor  called  a  Council  of  War.  At  first  it  was  deter- 
mined to  sally,  but  this  was  abandoned,  as  it  appeared  the  enemy 
designed  to  attack. 

20th. — Enemy  advanced  third  zig-zag  quite  down  to  the  sea. 
To  the  south  a  barbette  battery  was  being  constructed,  and  two 
large  guns  or  mortars  placed  behind  it. 

Commissions  were  issued  to  the  engineers  as  follows  : — 

John  Call,  sub-director — Captain,  1st  January  1759. 

Alex.  Leigh,  engineer-in*ordinary — Captain-Lieutenant,  16th 
January  1759. 


1759]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  35 

Wm.  Stevenson,  sub-engineer — Lieutenant,  1st  December 
1768. 

Ed.  Cotsford,  practitioner  engineer — Ensign,  Jst  January  1759. 

On  the  21st  a  sally  was  made  on  the  enemy's  trenches  by  one 
officer  and  thirty  men,  and  one  officer  and  thirty  pioneers. 
They  entered  the  works,  destroyed  some  of  them,  and  returned 
with  the  loss  of  four  men. 

By  this  time  the  enemy  had  advanced  their  sap  very  near  the 
salient  angle,  and  had  also  opened  a  battery  of  three  guns  in 
their  zig-zag  to  fire  on  right  face  of  north  ravelin,  but  this  latter 
was  badly  constructed.  One  morning  the  besieged  found  a  pole 
stuck  in  the  ground  at  the  foot  of  the  glacis,  at  the  head  of 
which  was  a  large  board  with  the  following  notice  pasted  on 
it:— 

"  Grace  aux  deserteurs  Francois  qui  rejoinderont  leurs 
drapeaux,  et  part  au  butin." 

Translation. — "  Pardon  and  part  of  the  plunder  to  the 
deserters  from  the  French  who  will  rejoin  their  colours." 

This  was  taken  down  and  the  following  put  up  in  its  stead  : — 

"  Un  tien  vant  mieux  que  deux  tu  I'aura. 

"  Les  deserteurs  Francois  trouvent  I'argent  Anglais  plus 
comptant  et  leur  traitement  plus  doux  que  les  proraesses  vaines 
des  Fran9ois  de  leur  part  du  butin  sans  paye,  et  conseillent 
leurs  camerades  de  venir  a  Madras  participer  d'une  meilleure 
fortune." 

Translation, — "A  bird  in  the  hand  is  worth  two  in  the 
bush." 

"  The  deserters  from  the  French  find  English  money  and 
English  treatment  of  greater  value  than  French  promises  of 
plunder  without  pay,  and  invite  their  comrades  to  come  and 
better  their  fortunes." 

The  enemy  on  2-4th  January  attempted  to  push  their  gabions 
close  to  covered  way,  but  many  were  overset  by  our  men  ;  they, 
however,  carried  on  their  approaches  from  ridge  of  the  glacis  on 

3  * 


3f)  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1759. 

north-east  salient  angle,  almost  parallel  to  north  face  of  covered 
way.  On  the  30th  but  little  advance  had  been  made  by  the 
enemy,  and  it  was  supposed  that  they  were  erecting  a  battery  on 
east  or  north  face  of  covered  way.  The  Shaftesbury  arrived  at 
Madras,  and  the  Captain  informed  the  Governor  that  he  left 
Bombay  on  18th  December  in  company  with  six  vessels  con- 
taining six  companies  of  Colonel  Draper's  regiment,  and  that 
they  might  be  expected  at  any  time. 

On  the  next  day  a  constant  fire  was  kept  up,  and  every  half- 
hour  hand-grenades  were  thrown  into  the  enemy's  trenches. 
Enemy  opened  four  embrasures  in  the  battery  on  crest  of  glacis 
before  the  face  of  the  demi-bastion.  The  French  frigate  attacked 
the  Shaftesbury  and  did  her  much  harm. 

Our  fire  from  the  fort  still  appears  to  have  been  superior  to 
that  of  the  French. 

On  4th  February,  a  gallery  under  west  counterscarp  having 
been  advanced,  about  eighty  feet  fell  in  at  the  end,  and  light 
came  through,  but  the  miners  stopped  the  hole  so  soon  that  it  is 
believed  the  enemy  did  not  discover  it. 

The  engineers  directed  the  gallery  to  be  filled  five  or  six  feet 
back,  and  the  return  for  the  chamber  to  be  made  at  once. 

5th. — No  apparent  alteration  in  enemy's  works.  UsofF  Cawn 
arrived  at  the  Mount.  Captain  Vasserot  sent  out  to  join  him 
with  a  few  troops  and  money,  also  a  gold  watch  for  Abdul 
Wahab,  and  an  amethyst  ring  set  with  diamonds  for  Usoif 
Cawn. 

From  the  6th  to  12th  the  enemy  continued  to  fire  from  about 
ten  guns  and  two  mortars,  but  they  do  not  appear  to  have 
worked  either  at  the  batteries  or  approaches. 

On  the  9th  an  action  took  place  at  the  Mount  between  the 
English,  under  Major  Caillaud,  and  the  French.  The  French 
attacked  with  600  Europeans,  all  their  cavalry,  and  a  large  body 
of  sepoys  with  seven  or  eight  pieces  of  cannon.  After  twelve 
hours'  efi'orts   to    dislodge   the    English,   they   retreated    about 


1759.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  37 

sunset,  while  the  English  had  to  move  to  Vandalore  for  ammu- 
nition. 

On  the  13th  the  enemy  made  an  attempt  to  seize  our  fascine 
battery,  hut  they  were  repulsed.  The  same  night  they  advanced 
a  gabionade  thirty  feet  in  front  of  stockade  under  cover  of  the 
bank  of  the  glacis,  and  formed  a  traverse  with  a  direct  com- 
munication behind  it  to  the  stockade.  This  work  was  discovered 
about  9  P.M.,  and  a  fire  of  musketry,  round  and  grape-shot  kept 
on  it  all  night.  In  the  morning  the  guards  of  the  demi-place 
of  arms  and  the  fascine  battery  sallied  out  and  destroyed  it. 

The  enemy  fired  Chepauk  this  day. 

15th, — The  enemy  attempted  last  night  to  replace  the  work 
destroyed,  but  were  prevented  by  a  brisk  fire  which  was  kept  up 
all  night. 

16th. — Enemy  were  very  silent  last  night,  hut  we  kept  up  a 
smart  fire  on  the  head  of  their  sap  from  the  fascine  battery. 

The  engineers  laid  a  platform  for  a  I2-pounder  very  close  to 
the  surf,  and  a  gun  was  put  ready  for  service.  Crows'  feet  were 
strewed  on  top  of  glacis  near  fascine  battery,  and  several  planks 
with  nails  driven  through,  laid  on  the  sand  to  prevent 
approach. 

Six  sail  approached  Madras,  and  were  found  to  be  our  long- 
expected  succours.  About  8  p.m.  they  anchored  in  tlie  roads 
and  were  found  to  be  Queenshoroiiyh,  20 ;  Revenge,  20  ;  Win- 
chelsea  ;  Prince  of  Wales ;  and  Britannia,  with  six  companies 
of  Colonel  Draper's  regiment,  Major  Monson  in  command.  As 
many  troops  as  possible  were  landed  at  once. 

We  learned  that  the  French  had  abandoned  St.  Thome,  and 
that  they  intended  to  raise  the  siege  and  march  ofiF  before  day- 
break. Major  Caillaud  had  already  received  directions  to  harass 
the  French  during  their  march. 

On  the  17th,  at  daybreak,  found  that  the  enemy  had  abandoned 
their  works,  and  were  retreating ;  at  9  they  blew  up  Egmore 
Powder  Mills, 


38  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1759. 

The  following  is  the  account  given  by  the  chief  engineer  of 
the  enemy's  works  : — 

"  The  construction  and  position  of  the  battery  on  crest  of  glacis 
ill-contrived.     Seven  guns  found  on  it ;  carriages  all  disabled." 

"  Lally's  battery  had  fifteen  embrasures,  three  firing  on  ravelin, 
and   twelve   on   demi-  and   north-east  bastions ;    six   guns   on 
carriages,  of  which  all  but  one  considerably  damaged  i  five  guns 
with   carriages,  dismounted.     Six  mortars  behind    this  battery  _ 
had  been  fired  for  some  time." 

"  The  battery  to  the  left  of  burying-ground  had  four  embrasures 
to  enfilade  right  face  of  north  ravelin  and  covered-way  before  it ; 
three  guns  on  carriages,  muzzles  damaged  ;  six  guns  dismounted, 
and  three  carriages  ruined." 

"No  guns  were  found  in  Lorraine  battery;  the  good  guns  had 
been  drawn  off",  and  remainder  buried. 

"  In  all  the  batteries  the  platforms  were  very  bad  ;  instead  of 
having  sleepers  and  planks,  they  had  merely  a  few  pieces  of 
wood  taken  from  the  roofs  of  houses.  Their  gabions  were  bad, 
and  their  fascines  not  much  better." 

The  number  of  guns  found  in  the  enemy's  works  were  fifty- 
two  : — 

33     18  and  24-pounders  and 
19     9-pounders. 

Many  thousand  shot  and  150  barrels  of  powder  at  St.  Thome; 
also  forty-four  sick  and  wounded  soldiers. 

The  French  retreated  so  precipitately  that  they  had  no  time  to 
burn  Black  Town. 

The  Company's  garden  houses  and  houses  belonging  to 
European  inhabitants  suffered  severely,  the  walls  of  some  alone 
being  left. 

Our  loss  in  the  siege  was  : — 
Commissioned  officers : 

Killed     15 

Wounded  ...         ...         ..        14 

—       29 


1759.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  39 

Non-commissioned  officers  and  soldiers  : 


Killed 

Wounded 

.,     257 
..      182 

Taken  prisoners... 
Deserted... 

..      122 
..       20 

581 

Europeans,  total  ... 

...     610 

Sepoy  officers  and  privates  : 

Killed 

Wounded 
Deserted... 

..      105 
..     217 
..     440 

762 

Grand  total  ... 

...     1,372 

Totals : 

Killed 

Wounded 

.     377 
.     413 

Taken  prisoners... 
Deserted 

.      122 

912 

...     460 

1,372 

Enemy's  Loss. 

Europeans  killed  and  wounded,  90  officers  and  1,410  men. 
The  ammunition   expended  by  the  garrison  during  the  siege 

was  very  large, 

18,309  round  shot. 
1,366  grape  shot. 

6,702  shells. 

1,990  hand  grenades. 

522  match  chains. 

330  fire  balls. 

29,219 


and  176,798  lbs.  of  powder ;  the  quantity  remaining  being  only 
66.802  lbs. 


40  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THK  [1759. 

"  Thus  terminated  the  siege  of  Fort  St.  George  after  the 
garrison  had  been  shut  up  sixty-seven  days,  and  the  enemy's 
batteries  had  been  open  forty-six." 

"  To  the  credit  of  our  artillery  let  it  be  remarked  that  two 
12-pounders  from  the  north  ravelin  dismounted  four  24-pounders 
opposite  to  them,  and  that  of  fifty-two  pieces  of  cannon  found  on 
the  enemy's  batteries,  thirty- one  were  disabled  by  our  shot,  which 
are  many  more  than  we  had  hurt  by  the  enemy,  notwithstanding 
our  works  were  enfiladed,  plunged  into  and  taken  in  reverse. 
I  must  also  mention  that  the  works  by  the  exertions  of  a  few 
men  were  kept  in  extraordinary  good  repair,  and  three  guns  with 
stout  parapet  were  maintained  on  the  north-east  bastion  from 
the  first  to  the  last  day  of  the  siege.  An  addition  was  also 
made  of  a  battery  by  the  seaside,  and  two  pieces  more  were 
fired  on  the  16th  February  than  on  the  14th  December.  Nor 
must  I  forget  to  observe  that  a  few  raw  men  taken  from  the 
Pioneer  Company  greatly  outdid  the  boasted  miners  of  ihe 
French,  who  were  to  blow  whole  bastions  into  the  air ;  for  after 
the  breaching  battery  was  erected,  those  men,  without  having 
seen  anything  of  the  kind  before,  and  without  any  previous 
preparations  of  stantions  or  tools,  were  set  to  open  the  counter- 
scarp, and  by  continued  hard  labour  carried  a  gallery  ninety-five 
feet  in  length   under  the  enemy's  battery,  where   two   chambers 

were  made  and  loaded  with  250  lbs  of  powder  each." 

"  This  work  was  executed  within  a  few  feet  of  the  enemy,  and  in 

sight  of  their  lodgment  on  the  glacis." 

"  They  saw  and  dreaded,  but  could  not  interrupt  it,  though  we 

lost  many  men." 

"  Whoever  considers  the  nature  of  the  soil,  and  that  the  gallery 

was  carried  on  under  the  explosions  of  the  enemy's  guns,  which 

every  day  made  the  earth  to  fall  in,  must  allow  this  to  have  been 

a  most  laborious  and  hazardous  undertaking." 

The  above  remarks  have  been  extracted  from  the  journal  of 

the  chief  engineer,  Captain  John  Call. 


References  to  the  Plan  of  the  Siege. 


C    Six  VA-inch  mortars,  which  played  on 
the  bth   of   January    1759,    in    the 
morning. 
D    A  battery  of  3  guns,  opened  on  the  2nd 

of  January. 
E    A  battery  of  4  gum  and  2  howitzere, 
opened  on  the  6th  of  January,  in 
the  morning. 
F    A  battery  of  4  guns,  opened  on  the  7th. 
G   A  battery  of  4  guns,  which  played  "  en 
ricochet,"    opened    on    the   11th    of 
January. 
H  A  battery  of  4  guns,   opened   on    the 
2Zrd  of  Janiiary  against  the  north 
ravelin. 
I     A  battery  of  5  guns,  intended  to  breach 
the  demi-bastion    and    destroy  the 
blind  and  north-east^  opened  on  the 
dlst  of  January,  in  the  morning. 
K  Mortar  batteries  of  the  enemy. 
L    Betre7ichments,  or  barricadoes. 
M  A  fougasse,  sprung  by  the  enemy   on 
the  Srd  of  February,  in  the  morning. 
N    The  last  attempt  of  the  enemy  to  ad- 
vance by  traverees,  14-th  of  February. 
0   A  battei-y  of  2  guns,  which  fired  into 
the  town  on  the  south  side  and  at 
the  Shatfekury. 
P    Tlte  royal  bastion. 
Q    The  north-east  bastion. 
R    The  north  ravelin. 
8    The  demi-bastio7i. 
T    The  fascine  battery. 
V    The  blind  before  the  north-east  baetivn. 


1759.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  41 

Directly  the  siege  was  over,  the  chief  engineer  turned  his 
attention  to  the  state  of  Fort  St.  George. 

The  enemy's  works  were  first  destroyed,  and  then  the  necessary 
repairs  to  the  fort  were  undertaken.  The  chief  engineer,  besides 
this,  sent  in  a  project  for  strengthening  the  sea-face. 

The  levelling  of  the  enemy's  works  was  undertaken  by  the 
remains  of  the  Pioneer  Company,  and  in  a  fortnight  the  work 
was  done.  As  the  English  had  suffered  great  inconvenience 
from  the  tombs  at  the  burying-ground  during  the  siege,  the 
chief  engineer  recommended  their  removal,  and  this  was  at  once 
done.  Colonel  Lawrence  and  Major  Brereton  each  applied  for 
a  plan  of  the  fort  and  the  French  attack,  that  they  might  explain 
to  the  Ministry  and  the  Captain  General  the  nature  of  our 
defence. 

It  was  found  impracticable  to  take  the  field  till  the  beginning 
of  March.  Colonel  Lawrence,  after  taking  Poonamellee  and 
Tripassore,  marched  towards  Conjeveram,  but  he  could  not  get 
the  enemy  to  stir,  and  as  he  was  in  a  bad  state  of  health, 
he  quitted  Madras  and  returned  to  England,  leaving  the 
command  to  Major  Brerton,  Colonel  Draper  having  been  com- 
pelled to  leave  the  country  on  account  of  his  health. 

Major  Brereton  marched  to  Wandewash,  and  opened  ground 
before  it.  The  French  marched  to  relieve  it,  and  came  within 
eight  or  nine  miles  of  our  army.  Major  Brereton  thinking 
their  position  too  strong,  did  not  attack,  but  made  a  forced 
march,  and  entered  Conjeveram. 

It  was  garrisoned  by  600  black  troops,  under  Mustapha  Beg. 
He  fought  well,  but  was  killed  with  the  greatest  part  of  his 
followers.     The  English  suffered  severely,  and  lost  four  officers. 

Major  Monson,  as  he  was  reconnoitring,  received  a  wound  from 
a  ball,  which  entered  near  his  ear,  passed  through  his  cheek,  and 
came  out  near  his  nose.  The  narrator  of  this  incident  quaintly 
remarks,  "  but  he  never  found  any  great  inconvenience  from  it." 
Majors  Brereton  and  Caillaud  were  also  wounded. 


42  MILITARY    HISTORY    OP    THE  [1759. 

We  remained  at  Conjeveram  for  a  month,  while  Mr.  Lally 
was  at  Cauverypauk.  On  6th  May  the  French  marched 
towards  Conjeveram  ;  at  the  same  time  Brereton  advanced,  but 
the  latter,  finding  that  his  Europeans  were  suffering  heavily  from 
the  excessive  heat,  resolved  to  return  to  Conjeveram.  In  a 
march  of  eight  miles,  six  Europeans  fell  dead,  and  ninety  were 
taken  ill. 

The  French  advanced  within  three  miles  of  Conjeveram. 
Major  Brereton  being  ill.  Major  Monson  took  command ;  he 
avoided  a  general  action,  but  was  successful  in  several 
skirmishes.  Finally,  Mr.  Lally  marched  to  Trivatore,*  sent 
his  army  into  cantonments,  and  went  himself  to  Pondicherry. 

On  29th  August,  Major  Brereton,  commanding  the  army,  held 
a  Council  of  War  (Majors  Monson  and  Caillaud),  and  it  was 
agreed  that  the  army  was  in  a  position  to  take  the  field. 

Up  to  this  time  the  chief  engineer  had  remained  at  Madras, 
superintending  the  repairs  and  improvements  to  Fort  St.  George. 
Messrs.  Leigh,  Stevenson,  and  Cotsford,  were  with  the  army. 
Major  Brereton  proposed  to  take  Wandewash,  and  asked  for 
Call's  services. 

Call  was  directed  accordingly  to  join  the  army,  but  about  the 
middle  of  September  he  was  ordered  to  return  to  Madras,  as  his 
presence  was  not  immediately  wanted  with  the  army,  owing  to 
the  arrival  of  the  French  fleet. 

On  25th  September,  Major  Brereton  determined  to  attack 
Wandewash,  and  in  a  letter  to  ^the  Council  (apparently  in 
answer  to  one  of  theirs,  counselling  prudence)  he  says : — 
"Nothing  but  the  being  convinced  that  now  is  the  time  for 
action,  or  never,  could  carry  me  on  after  the  receipt  of  your 
letter ;  if  we  succeed  'tis  well,  if  not,  I  shall  hang  myself" 

The  army  moved  on  26th  September,  and  took  Trivatore.  On 
the   30th,   Brereton   made    an    assault   on  Wandewash.      The 

*  On  Cheear  river,  ten  miles  north-west  of  Wandewash. 


1759.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  43 

English  -were  repulsed  with  a  loss  of  twelve  officers  and  195 
men  killed  and  wounded.     The  French  lost  ahout  200  also. 

The  English  again  returned  to  Conjeveram. 

On  30th  October,  Colonel  Coote  took  command,  but  did 
not  arrive  at  Conjeveram  till  20th  November,  when  he 
appointed — 

Major  Monson  ...  Quartermaster-General. 

Captain  T.  Adams  ) 

n     4.  •    \TiT-u-       T  1    Aides-de-Camp. 

Captain  William  Ingram         J  ^ 

Lieutenant   Eiser,    acting  ^ 

engineer     at    Fort  St.  [  Brigade  Major. 

George  ...  J 

Lieutenant  Rowland         ...         Secretary. 

Immediately  after  Coote  took  command,  he  ordered  Captain 
Call  to  camp,  but  the  Council  objected,  and  stated  that  Messrs. 
Leigh,  Stevenson  and  Cotsford  were  with  the  army.  The  army 
marched  from  Conjeveram  on  25th  November,  and  on  the  26th 
a  detachment,  under  Major  Brereton,  invested  Wandewash. 
Two  batteries  were  erected  as  soon  as  possible,  and  opened  fire 
on  the  29th.  On  the  30th  a  breach  was  made,  and  the  place 
was  surrendered.  A  garrison  was  placed  in  Wandewash,  the 
engineer  being  Lieutenant  Cotsford.  From  Wandewash,  Coote 
marched  to  Carangooly ;  this  was  taken  on  8th  December. 

Coote  left  Lieutenant  Fletcher  and  two  companies  of  sepoys  at 
Carangooly,  with  an  engineer  (Lieutenant  Stevenson)  and  fifty 
pioneers  to  repair  the  fort. 

A  few  days  after  the  capture  of  Carangooly,  the  chief  engineer 
was  ordered  to  proceed  to  Wandewash  and  Carangooly,  to 
survey  them,  and  give  his  opinion  on  placing  them  in  a  state  of 
defence  by  the  end  of  December.  Captain  Call  finished 
his  work  there,  and  on  the  3rd  January  1760  sent  in  his 
report. 

He  examined  Cbingleput  as  well  as  the  two  posts  mentioned, 
and  reported   that   "  the    south   face   of  that  fort  had  been  so 


44  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  ri759. 

judiciously  altered  as  to  have  become  very  strong."  He  offered 
some  proposals  for  making  the  north  face  equally  so,  and  stated 
his  opinion  that  "  Chingleput  was  of  the  utmost  consequence  to 
Madras,  as  protecting  thirty-five  miles  of  intermediate  country, 
and  being  almost  an  invincible  obstacle  to  the  French  in  any 
designs  they  might  have  on  Madras." 

As  regards  Carangooly,  he  pronounced  the  fortifications 
defective;  he  thought  it  better  to  hold  it  in  its  present  state  as 
long  as  we  held  Wandewash,  but  hardly  thought  it  necessary  to 
hold  it  if  we  were  to  lose  Wandewash.  In  that  case  it  should  be 
destroyed,  and  preparations  were  made  accordingly.  He  did 
not  think  Wandewash  strong,  but  was  of  opinion  that  it  was 
of  the  utmost  consequence  to  us,  on  account  of  its  situation, 
which  is  only  twenty-five  miles  from  Ginjee,  and  about  the  same 
distance  from  Chingleput ;  also  useful  as  contributing  to  make 
easy  an  attempt  on  Chettipet,  the  capture  of  which  place  would 
cut  communication  between  Arcot  and  Pondicherry,  and  render 
the  siege  of  the  latter  place  much  easier. 

By  means  of  Wandewash  and  Chettipet  it  would  not  be 
difficult  to  open  a  communication  with  Trichinopoly,  aud  our 
possessions  round  Madras  would  take  a  very  compact  form. 

He  considered  the  defects  of  Wandewash  to  be  the  want  of  a 
wet  ditch,  insufficient  cover  to  walls  against  distant  batteries,  and 
inefficient  flank  fire.  He  made  a  number  of  proposals  for 
improving  the  strength  of  the  fort.  Amongst  others,  improve- 
ments to  ditch,  a  glacis,  a  counter-guard  before  the  south-east 
tower,  a  ravelin  on  the  east  front,  and  the  projection  on  the  west 
front  to  be  turned  into  a  bastion,  removal  of  two  cavaliei's;  on 
the  north  he  reported  the  ditch  good  and  the  country  open. 
Ramparts  to  be  raised.     Magazines,  &c.,  good. 

If  these  proposals  were  carried  out,  Wandewash  might  be 
reckoned  a  strong  place. 

Mr.  Cotsford,  the  engineer  at  Wandewash,  was  ordered  to 
increase  the  flank  fire. 


1760.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  45 

Captain  Sherlock,  the  officer  commanding,  received  from 
Captain  Call  instructions  as  to  the  defence  he  should  make  in 
case  the  French  attempted  to  re-capture  the  place. 

Captain  Call,  owing  to  the  late  successes,  thought  it  a  desirable 
time  to  improve  Fort  St.  George,  and  recommended  a  redoubt  on 
north-east  salient  angle  of  covered- way,  and  the  east  face  (sea-face) 
to  be  strengthened. 

The  works  of  the  fort  had  chiefly  up  to  this  time  been  of 
earth.  Captain  Call  considered  that,  owing  to  the  defenceless 
state  of  Madras  at  the  time,  it  was  necessary  to  form  them  of 
earth,  but  hoped  never  to  be  under  the  necessity  of  raising 
earthworks  again.  He  mentioned  that,  since  1752,  2,87,570 
pagodas*  had  been  spent  on  works  of  Fort  St.  George,  and  filling 
up  the  river ;  and  all  other  charges  bring  the  whole  to  5,09,030 
pagodas.  He  thought  before  it  was  properly  finished  the  cost 
would  be  doubled. 

The  Council  ordered  that  200  bricklayers  and  150  carpenters 
should  be  employed  on  the  works  at  once. 

In  January  1760,  Lieutenant  Stevenson  was  at  Carangooly, 
Ensign  Cotsford  at  Wandewash,  and  Captain  Lieutenant  Leigh 
with  the  army.  Captain  Call  being  in  Madras. 

After  the  Capture  of  Carangooly,  Coote  posted  his  army  in  a 
strong  position  between  Cauverypauk  and  Arcot.  He  had 
2,100  Europeans,  4,000  sepoys,  and  1,500  horse.  The  French 
under  Lally  moved  from  Arcot  by  the  road  of  Wandewash,  and 
sent  a  party  to  Conjeveram,  who  ransacked  the  town,  but  could 
not  get  possession  of  the  fort.  Coote  marched  to  Conjeveram ; 
upon  this,  the  enemy  retired  and  joined  their  main  body  at 
Patangel  on  the  road  from  Conjeveram  to  Wandewash. 

On  16th  January  the  French  attacked  the  pettah,  and  after  a 
stout  resistance  lodged  themselves,  and  commenced  to  erect  a 
battery. 

*  Throe  and  a  half  rupecB, 


46  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1760. 


On  the  20th  they  commenced  to  fire  (Captain  Sherlock  com- 
manded; engineer,  Lieutenant  Cotsford)  from  one  24-pounder 
and  three  18-pounders. 

Coote  now  determined  to  relieve  Wandewash,  and  took  post 
at  Ootumaloor  on  the  17th,  and  hearing  from  Captain  Sher- 
lock that  the  breach  might  be  practicable  on  the  22nd,  resolved 
to  made  an  efi'ort  to  raise  the  siege  that  morning.  The  army 
marched  at  6  a.m.  on  22nd  January,  engaged  the  enemy,  and 
utterly  defeated  them.  The  English  were  left  entire  masters 
of  the  field,  together  with  all  the  French  artillery,  except  three 
small  pieces ;  twenty  pieces  of  cannon  were  taken.  Three 
20-pounders,  one  24-pounder,  and  one  32-pounder.  Captain 
Lieutenant  Leigh  was  the  only  engineer  with  Coote's  army. 

The  French  had  200  killed  and  600  wounded. 

We  took  240  prisoners,  of  whom  200  were  wounded. 

Our  loss  was  52  Europeans  killed  and  140  wounded,  some  of 
whom  afterwards  died  of  their  wounds  ;  among  them  Major 
Brereton. 

The  French  retreated  as  fast  as  possible  to  Chettipet,  eighteen 
miles  distant,  and  next  day  assembled  the  remains  of  their 
broken  army  at  Ginjee. 

On  28th  January  Coote  marched  to  Chettipet  and  began  to 
erect  batteries.  Next  day  a  breach  was  made  and  the  place  was 
surrendered. 

Captain  Wood,  by  order  of  Coote,  invested  Arcot  soon  after 
the  battle  of  Wandewash. 

On  2nd  February  he  was  joined  by  Coote,  who  at  once  erected 
batteries  against  the  fort.  Two  of  18-pounders  against  the  cur- 
tain between  the  north-west  corner  tower  and  gateway;  one,  of  two 
18-pounders  and  one  24-pounder,  against  tower  and  curtain  west 
of  south-west  corner  tower  ;  and  one  of  l2-pounders  against  north 
gate  and  to  enfilade  west  front.  Batteries  opened  on  5th  Feb- 
ruary. On  the  8th,  Coote  had  carried  his  approaches  to  the  south- 
west within  260  yards  of  crest  of  glacis,  those  to  west  within  250, 


1760.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  47 

and  summoned  the  garrison.  The  commandant  said  if  he  was  not 
relieved  in  six  days  he  would  deliver  up  the  fort  on  being  allowed 
honours  of  war.  Hostilities  recommenced;  and  the  approaches 
were  carried  on  to  within  sixty  yards  of  crest  of  glacis  when  the 
garrison  surrendered  on  10th  February,  and  Coote  took  possession 
of  Nabob's  capital,  and  captured  eleven  European  officers  and 
236  European  soldiers.  Eear-Admiral  Cornish  arrived  at  Madras 
with  six  ships  on  28th  February,  and  as  the  French  had  no 
fleet,  he  at  once  co-operated  with  the  land  forces. 

The  garrisons  of  Permacoil  and  Alumparva*  having  sur- 
rendered prisoners  of  war,  Coote  proceeded  with  the  army  to 
attack  Waldour  and  blockade  Pondicherry  by  land.  At  the 
same  time  Major  Monson,  with  the  chief  engineer  (Call),  seven 
gunners  and  fifty  pioneers,  embarked  on  board  the  fleet  to  begin 
the  siege  of  Karical  with  the  assistance  of  the  Marines.  They 
were  joined  by  40  Artillery,  100  Europeans,  and  200  sepoys 
from  Trichinopoly.  The  fleet  arrived  in  the  Karical  roads  on 
28th  March,  and  at  5  p.m.  Major  Monson  landed,  with  the 
pioneers  and  300  Marines,  four  miles  north  of  Karical.  Next 
morning  they  seized  the  town.  Captain  Call,  with  the  pioneers, 
took  possession  of  a  saluting  battery  near  the  mouth  of  the  river; 
while  doing  so  they  were  fired  on  fiercely  from  the  fort.  In  the 
night  the  pioneers  made  a  battery  near  the  river  on  esplanade. 
Next  evening  a  10-inch  mortar  was  landed,  and  at  10  p.m. 
began  to  bombard  Fort  Dauphin. 

The  enemy  abandoned  Fort  Dauphin  and  retired  to  Fort 
St.  Louis.  By  Jst  April  the  English  had  finished  a  battery 
of  four  18-pounders.  On  the  3rd  they  fully  invested  the 
place  ;  by  the  5th  they  had  erected  several  batteries,  breached 
one  bastion,  and  dismounted  several  guns.  Major  Monson  now 
learnt  that  Lally  had  sent  troops  within  twenty  miles,  so  he 
summoned  the  garrison,  and  the  place  was  given  up.    206  Euro- 

•  Seventeen  miles  north  by  -west  and  twenty-five  north  by  east  of  Pondicherry. 


48  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1760. 

peans,  including  officers,  were  taken  prisoners,  and  200  sepoys. 
Major  Monson  next  marched  to  Chillumbrura,  and  summoned 
the  garrison,  who  seemed  determined  to  hold  out.  In  the  night 
a  party  of  pioneers  were  carrying  fascines  to  a  battery,  mistook 
their  way,  and  marched  right  up  to  the  fort.  The  French  thought 
they  were  coming  to  escalade  the  place,  and  cried  out  that  they 
surrendered  at  discretion.  Prisoners  taken  were  forty  Europeans 
with  six  officers,  and  300  sepoys. 

Verdachellum  surrendered  soon  after,  and  Major  Monson  in 
the  beginning  of  May  joined  Coote. 

Towards  the  end  of  April  the  chief  engineer  w^as  directed  to 
return  to  Madras;  and  Captain  Leigh  received  orders  to  remain 
at  Karical,  to  construct  the  mines  and  to  destroy  the  fort  as 
soon  as  it  was  resolved  on.  In  March,  the  engineer  at  Wande- 
wash  was  told  to  proceed  with  the  strengthening  of  the  fort  in 
accordance  with  Captain  Call's  suggestions.  In  this  month 
mention  is  made  of  another  engineer,  a  Mr.  MacMahon,  doing 
duty  with  Colonel  Coote's  army. 

Lieutenant  Stevenson  was  appointed  engineer  at  Allumparva, 
and  in  June  requested  to  be  allowed  to  leave  the  engineers  and 
enter  the  military ;  but  permission  was  refused,  as  his  services 
were  urgently  required  as  an  engineer. 

He  was  employed  by  Coote  in  the  destruction  of  Allumparva, 
as  also  in  preparing  plans  of  Wandewash,  Karical,  Chellum- 
brum  and  Verdachellum. 

Captain  Leigh  was  employed  at  Karical,  but  on  18tli  August 
was  ordered  to  Trichinopoly,  to  report  on  the  works  neces- 
sary at  that  place.  On  5th  October  he  left  Karical,  reached 
Trichinopoly  on  the  8th,  and  sent  in  a  lengthy  report  on  the 
fort  with  extensive  proposals  for  strengthening  it. 

The  Board,  however,  did  not  think  it  expedient  at  the 
present  juncture  to  make  any  additions  and  alterations  to 
the  fort,  especially  as  an  engineer  could  not  be  spared  to  super- 
intend the  works,  and  Captain  Leigh  was  told  simply  to  repair  the 


1760.] 


MADRAS   ENGINEERS-  49 


breach   made  by  late  rains,   return  to  Karical  to  comply  with 
previous  instructions  regarding  that  fort. 

On  7th  November,  Leigh  was  ordered  to  destroy  Fort  Dauphin, 
and  after  that  was  effected,  he,  with  the  pioneers,  European 
artificers,  and  pioneer  lascars,  were  to  repair  to  camp. 

On  8th  September,  John  Call,  the  chief  engineer,  attended  the 
Board  in  Madras,  and  the  oath  of  secrecy  being  administered 
to  him,  tdok  his  seat  at  the  Board  * 

Meanwhile,  Coote  having  taken  Villenoure  and  Waldour 
encamped  in  front  of  Villenoure,  with  his  left  on  descent  of  Red 
Hills,  four  miles  from  Pondicherry  and  one  mile  and  a  half 
from  Oullagerry  where  the  enemy  were  still  posted.  He  threw 
up  redoubts  in  the  different  avenues,  as  also  did  the  enemy,  and 
the  advanced  parties  were  within  musket-shot  of  each  other. 

During  this  time  the  French  made  three  attempts  on  Cudda- 
lore.  In  the  first  they  carried  off  seventy  Marines,  but  the  two 
last  were  repulsed  with  loss.  The  rainy  season  approaching, 
Colonel  Coote  requested  the  Admiral  to  land  Marines  to  take 
Arianoopang.  They  landed  at  Cuddalore  on  5i9th  August,  and 
800  men,  under  Major  Monson,  were  disposed  for  the  attack  of 
Ariancopang,  while  Coote  with  the  main  army  marched  on 
Oulagerry.  Monson,  however,  did  not  approve  of  the  operation, 
so  Coote  countermanded  it. 

M.  lially,  at  4  a.m.  on  3rd  September,  made  four  attacks  at 
once  on  our  advanced  redoubts. 

One  on  the  Tamarind  redoubt,  erected  on  29th  August  on  the 
Red  Hill,  about  4000  yards  north  west  of  Pondicherry  ;  the  second 
on  the  redoubt  at  the  end  of  the  Waldour  avenue  from  the  fort ; 
the  third  on  the  redoubts  on  the  Villenoure  and  Oulagerry 
avenues. 


*  A  few  days  after,  orders  were  given  that,  as  the  duty  of  the  engineers  in 
camp  were  very  fatiguing,  and  not  to  be  performed  without  horses,  they  were  to 
receive  allowance  for  a  horse  as  an  adjutant. 


50  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1760. 

The  fourth  was  to  cross  the  river  from  Ariancopang  and  advance 
to  the  villages  near  the  Villenoure  Fort.  All  failed  except  that 
on  the  Waldour  avenue  redoubt. 

The  next  night  an  attack  was  made  again  on  Tamarind 
redoubt,  but  the  enemy  was  repulsed  with  loss. 

After  this,  Coote  was  superseded  by  Monson ;  the  former  went 
to  Madras  and  Monson  took  command. 

On  the  9th,  Monson  ordered  the  whole  army  to  attack  the 
French  posts  at  Oulagerry  Church  and  redoubts  in  the  bound 
hedge.  The  attack  was  successful,  and  the  enemy  abandoned  three 
redoubts  and  left  behind  them  fifteen  pieces  of  cannon ;  but  the 
great  advantages  proposed  by  this  success  were  unfortunately 
lost,  for  Colonel  Monson  in  the  attack  received  a  shot  which 
broke  his  leg,  and  the  Commander-in-Chief  being  disabled,  the 
troops  contented  themselves  with  taking  post  in  the  bound  hedge. 

The  next  day  the  whole  army  encamped  at  Oullagerry  and 
proceeded  to  fortify  the  redoubts  they  had  taken ;  a  detachment 
was  sent  to  invest  Ariancopang,  the  French  withdrew  the 
garrison  and  blew  up  part  of  the  fort,  which  the  English  soon 
repaired,  and  established  a  post  there. 

Colonel  Coote  was  now  requested  to  re-assume  the  command, 
and  he  reached  the  camp  on  20th  September  1760. 

In  the  beginning  of  October,  finding  the  French  were 
strengthening  the  works  to  the  north,  he  attacked  them  and 
got  possession  of  a  redoubt  they  were  fortifying ;  a  party  of 
pioneers  at  once  set  to  work  to  close  the  gorge  and  make  it 
tenable. 

Ensign  MacMahon  commanded  the  pioneers  on  this  occasion. 

He  had  been  ordered  to  call  at  Major  Smith's  post  for  a 
detachment  of  Europeans,  but  mistaking  his  orders  neglected 
to  do  so ;  at  midnight  the  pioneers  were  suddenly  attacked 
by  400  Europeans  and  600  sepoys.  The  Ensign  (a  Dane)  who 
commanded  the  sepoys  in  the  redoubt  abandoned  it  on  the  first 
onset.     Ensign  MacMahon  was  killed,   and  the  pioneers,  sur- 


17C0.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  51 

prised  and  defenceless,  escaped  as  they  could.  The  sepoys  were 
encouraged  by  a  Subahdar  named  Cowen  Naig ;  he  formed  them 
in  the  plain  and  returned  to  recover  the  post,  in  which  he  eflfec- 
tually  succeeded. 

On  6th  October,  the  monsoon  approaching,  the  whole  line 
struck  their  tents,  and  encamped  a  mile  and  a  half  from  their 
old  ground  on  the  hills. 

While  the  monsoon  continued,  Coote,  knowing  that  the  works 
he  might  make  would  be  destroyed  by  the  rains,  confined 
himself  to  cutting  off  all  communications  between  the  garrison 
and  the  country.  Meantime,  Major  Preston  was  engaged  in 
blockading  Ginjee  and  intercepting  convoys  which  they  con- 
tinually attempted  to  send  for  the  relief  of  Pondicherry. 

On  11th  November,  the  chief  engineer  suggested  that,  as  it 
would  soon  be  necessary  to  begin  the  siege  of  Pondicherry,  he 
should  go  to  the  camp  in  order  to  determine  against  which 
front  the  attack  should  be  made.  A  week  after  he  arrived  at 
camp. 

On  the  27th,  M.  Lally  turned  the  natives  out  of  the  town 
(except  those  absolutely  necessary),  to  the  number  of  1,400  of 
both  sexes  and  every  age. 

They  were  not  allowed  to  pass  through  the  English  lines  for 
a  week,  but  at  last  Coote,  finding  Lally  inflexible,  allowed  them 
to  go — their  only  sustenance,  in  addition  to  what  they  had 
brought  out,  had  been  for  eight  days  the  roots  of  grass  picked 
up  in  the  fields. 

Four  ricochet  batteries  were  finished  on  the    8th :  one   was 

near  the  beach  with  four  18-pounders,  and  enfiladed  the  sea  face; 

the  second,   of  two  24-pounders,  two   18-pounders,  with  three 

mortars  of  13-inch,  10-inch,  and  8-inch,  was  on  the  other  side 

of  the  swamp,  14U  yards  from   the  walls,  and  bore  on  the  west 

flank   of  the    north-west    bastion,    which    mounted    ten    guns, 

and  had  a  strong  counter-guard  in  front  with  twenty-five  guns. 

The  third  and  fourth  batteries  were  to  the  south  :  the  third  on 

4   * 


52  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1761. 

the  edge  of  a  large  island,  called  Cocoanut  Island  (formed  by 
the  river),  and  mounted  two  guns  ;  the  fourth  was  raised  on  a 
smaller  one,  called  Sand  Island,  and  bore  on  St  Thomas' 
redoubt,  and  on  curtain  between  the  two  bastions  nearest  to  the 
sea. 

These  four  batteries  were  only  intended  to  harass  the 
enemy. 

They  opened  at  midnight  on  8th  December,  and  the  firing 
continued  for  six  days,  but  diminished  after  that  for  want  of 
powder. 

On  the  20th,  more  powder  arrived,  and  the  enfilade  and 
bombardment  recommenced  from  all  the  batteries. 

On  the  first  day  of  the  year  1701  a  sudden  storm  of  wind 
put  the  whole  English  fleet  into  extreme  danger  and  destroyed 
several  vessels. 

The  Newcastle,  Queenshorougli,  and  Protector  fire-ships  were 
driven  ashore  two  miles  south  of  Pondicherry,  and  the  Duke  of 
Aguitaitie,  Sunderland,  and  Duke,  store-ships,  went  to  the 
bottom.  1,100  Europeans  perished  in  these  vessels.  Several 
of  the  other  ships  suff'ered  heavily,  but  the  Norfolk,  Admiral 
Steven's  flag-ship,  received  little  damage,  and  the  Admiral  soon 
returned  to  his  station. 

After  the  storm,  every  exertion  was  made  to  restore  our  works. 
The  two  batteries  of  Cocoanut  and  Sand  Islands  were  ruined. 
As  these  could  not  readily  be  restored,  owing  to  river  flood, 
Coote  determined  to  surprise  St.  Thomas'  redoubt. 

On  5th  January  the  river  had  sufficiently  fallen,  and  the 
detachment  for  attack  nssembled  at  the  Ariancopang  redoubt 
north  of  Cocoanut  Island,  and  the  other  side  of  the  river. 

The  English  got  possession  of  the  redoubt  by  stratagem,  and 
immediately  after,  Captain  Call,  the  chief  engineer,  followed  by 
the  Pioneer  Company,  of  fifty  men  (European),  and  100  lascars, 
carrying  gabions,  fascines,  and  tools,  set  to  work  to  close  and 
retrench  the  gorge.     By  4  a.m.  the   work  was  finished,  and  the 


1761J  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  63 

workmen  withdrawn  at  5.  The  redoubt  was  attacked  by  the 
garrison  and  retaken.  A  redoubt  was  commenced  on  the  spit  of 
land  300  yards  in  rear  of  the  former. 

By  the  morning  of  10th  January,  the  Hanover  Battery  was 
completed,  and  opened  fire  from  ten  guns,  six  24-pounders  and 
four  IR-pounders,  with  three  mortars. 

The  guns  on  the  left  fired  on  the  west  face  of  the  north-west 
bastion,  and  the  counter-guard  before  it.  Two  guns  on  the  next 
bastion  on  the  left,  and  two  guns  on  the  projecting  towers  on 
each  side  of  Waldour  gate.  The  redoubt  on  the  spit  of  land  to 
the  south  was  finished  on  tlie  ]  2th,  and  on  the  night  of  the 
13th  the  trenches  were  commenced.  Working  parties,  700 
Europeans,  rank  and  file,  400  lascars,  the  Pioneer  Company  of 
70  Europeans  and  200  coolies. 

Ground  was  opened  near  the  bleaching  ground,  and  the 
trench  was  carried  on  obliquely  for  4(S0  yards,  passing  the  high 
road  leading  from  Madras  gate,  and  then  continued  280  yards 
parallel  to  walls  of  town.  Two  short  trenches  from  each  end 
of  this  parallel  were  dug,  and  fell  in  with  two  ends  of  the 
intended  battery,  which  was  forty  yards  in  front.  All  this  work, 
800  yards  long,  sheltered  by  gabions,  fascines,  and  sand-bags, 
was  executed  by  the  European  soldiers.  The  lascars  and 
coolies  were  employed  in  bringing  materials,  and  the  pioneers 
were  employed  in  the  battery. 

Before  morning  six  embrasures  were  finished,  and  the  cannon 
had  been  brought  from  the  Artillery  Park  to  the  battery.  The 
battery  was  450  yards  from  the  walls. 

There  was  no  time  to  lay  the  platforms,  and  it  was  expected 
the  garrison  would  fire  hotly  on  the  work  in  the  daytime. 

They,  however,  only  fired  now  and  then,  and  the  chief 
engineer,  John  Call,  observing  this,  sent  carpenters  to  lay  the 
platforms. 

The  Hanover  battery  fired  all  day  with  great  vivacity,  and 
silenced  all  the  guns  opposed  to  it. 


54  MILITAEY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1761. 


On  the  ]4th  night  the  pioneers,  with  300  lascars,  went  again 
to  work  in  the  Royal  battery,  and  the  garrison  having  kept  up  a 
smart  fire,  wounded  twelve  men.  Before  daylight,  however,  the 
battery  was  finished. 

It  contained  eleven  24 -pounders  and  three  heavy  mortars. 
It  opened  fire  on  the  15th  morning,  and  supported  by  the 
Hanover  battery  with  ten  guns  and  three  mortars,  soon  silenced 
all  the  defences  which  bore  on  it,  except  a  gun  or  two  on  the 
bastion  near  the  sea.  On  the  night  of  the  15th  another  battery 
of  six  guns  was  about  'to  be  commenced,  300  yards  nearer  the 
beach,  and  150  nearer  to  the  walls,  to  destroy  the  flanks  of  the 
various  bastions.  At  sun-set,  however,  a  flag  of  truce  was  seen 
advancing  in  the  Villenoure  avenue  to  offer  capitulation. 

The  next  morning,  the  16th  January,  Villenoure  gate  was 
taken  possession  of.  The  French,  amounting  to  1,100,  all  wore 
the  face  of  famine,  fatigue,  or  disease. 

On  the  17th,  the  English  flag  was  hoisted,  and  a  salute  of 
1,000  guns  fired. 

°^  Five  hundred  pieces  of  cannon  and  110  mortars  and  howitzers 
were  taken,  and  ammunition,  arms,  and  stores,  in  great 
abundance. 

Colonel  Coote  detached  eight  companies  of  sepoys  under 
Captain  Smith  to  invest  Ginjee,  and  the  blockade  of  Thiagar  was 
continued  by  Major  Preston. 

The  engineers  present  at  the  siege  of  Pondicherry  were  : — 
John  Call,  chief  engineer ;  Alexander  Leigh  (having  completed 
the  demolition  of  Fort  Dauphin  at  Karical  went  to  Pondicherry 
on  the  5th  December).  William  Stevenson  and  Edward 
Cotsford,  although  not  mentioned  in  the  records,  must  have 
been  present,  as  on  the  23rd  February  they  sailed  with  Admiral 
Stevens  to  assist  in  the  attack  on  Mahe. 

Captain  John  Brohier,  who  was  the  Engineer-in- Chief, 
appears  all  this  time  to  have  remained  at  Fort  William. 

He  was  dismissed  about  July    1760.     I   have   been  unable 


1761.1  MADRAS    ENGINEEES.  55 

to  ascertain  the  reason  of  his  dismissal,"*^  hut  the  result  was 
that  John  Call  was  appointed  engineer-in-chief  and  Major, 
3Ist  July  1760;  Alexander  Leigh,  suh-director  and  Captain, 
18th  November  17G0;  William  Stevenson,  engineer  ordinary 
and  Captain-Lieutenant,  18th  November  1760;  Edward 
Cotsford,  sub-engineer  and  Lieutenant,    18th  November  1760. 

Major  John  Call  was  directed,  a  few  days  after  the  surrender, 
to  destroy  the  fortifications  of  Pondicherry.  He  remained  there 
engaged  upon  this  work  with  his  three  assistants  till  the 
departure  of  the  expedition  to  Mahe. 

Captain-Lieutenant  Stevenson  and  Lieutenant  Cotsford 
accompanied  the  expedition  to  Mahe,  while  Captain  Leigh  was 
left  at  Pondicherry  to  complete  the  work  commenced  by  Major 
Call. 

In  the  five  or  six  weeks  which  elapsed  between  the  surrender 
of  Pondicherry  and  the  departure  of  the  expedition,  the  west 
front  was  blown  up,  as  also  parts  of  the  north  and  south  fronts ; 
the  mines  in  the  town  wall  were  nearly  completed,  except  those 
on  sea-face.  The  mines  under  the  citadel  had  also  been  com- 
menced. The  circumference  of  the  fort,  exclusive  of  the  citadel, 
was  four  miles  in  brickwork,  yet  Major  Call  hoped  all  would 
be  finished  in  three  months. 

Admiral  Stevens  sailed  on  the  23rd  February  with  eleven 
ships  of  the  line  and  two  frigates. 

Major  Moore,  of  H.M.'s  79th  Regiment,  commanded  the 
military  expedition,  and,  in  addition  to  Stevenson  and  Cotsford 
of  the  Engineers,  Ensign  Ware,  of  the  Pioneers,  went  with  two 
sergeants,  four  corporals,  thirty  pioneers,  three  artificers,  and 
forty  lascars.  Their  services  were,  however,  not  required  at 
Mahe,  as,  on  the  13th  February,  it  capitulated  to  Major  Hector 
Munro. 

Early  in  February  17G1,  Captain  Smith  took  the  mountain  of 

•  Probably  due  to  the  badness  of  the  masonry  constructed  at  Fort  William 
which  had  (as  already  noticed)  to  be  for  the  most  part  rebuilt. 


56  MILITABY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1761. 

St.  George  at  Ginjee,  and  the  same  day  Thiagar  capitulated  to 
Major  Preston,  after  a  blockade  and  bombardment  of  sixty-five 
days. 

On  5th  April  the  Commandant  of  the  Great  Mountain  of 
Ginjee  capitulated,  and  thus  the  hostilities  between  the  French  and 
English  terminated,  with  the  result  that  the  French  had  not  a 
single  "  place  "  in  India — their  factories  at  Surat  and  Calicut 
being  mere  trading  settlements. 

Colonel  Coote  embarked  on  the  13th  March  for  Bengal, 
leaving  his  regiment  to  follow. 

Major  John  Call,  on  his  return  to  Madras,  was  engaged  on  the 
fortifications  of  Fort  St.  George,  which  it  was  considered 
desirable  should  be  made  permanent  as  soon  as  possible 

Captain  Leigh  was  directed  to  demolish  the  Fort  of  Waldour, 
as  soon  as  he  had  finished  with  Pondioherry. 


lifil.l  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  57 


CHAPTEK   III. 

Siege  of  Yellore. — Pioneer  company  raised  under  Captain  Bonjour. — Expedition 
against  Manilla. — Captain  Stevenson. — Murder  of  Lieutenant  Fryer. — Cap- 
ture of  Manilla. — Passes  leading  into  the  Camatic. 

In  1761  it  was  found  that  the  Nabob  of  the  Caruatic  was 
unable  to  recover  his  dues  from  his  tributaries,  and  the  Council 
at  Madras  resolved  on  21th  August  to  assist  him.  This  they 
proposed  to  do  first  by  attacking  Vellore. 

Colonel  John  CaiHaud  was  appointed  to  command  the  Army, 
while  Messrs.  Bourchier  and  Du  Pre  were  to  accompany  it  as 
Field  Deputies. 

Messrs.  Stevenson  and  Cotsford  of  the  Engineers,  who  were 
now  at  Tellicherry,  were  ordered  to  return,  with  the  view  of  being 
present  at  the  proposed  siege.  After  the  capture  of  Pondicherry, 
it  will  be  remembered,  they  accompanied  the  expedition  to  Mahe, 
a  few  miles  south  of  Tellicherry. 

On  2Hth  September,  Caillaud  encamped  before  Vellore,  and 
waited  for  stores.  Lengthy  negotiations  with  the  Killadar 
followed.  Mortiz-Ali-Khan  (the  Killadar)  offered  his  only 
daughter  in  marriage  with  the  Nabob's  eldest  son,  but  no  settle- 
ment was  effected,  and,  after  considerable  delay,  the  Killadar 
returned  to  bis  fort  on  12th    October,  having  refused   the  terms 


58  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1761, 

offered  by  the  Nabob  ;  and  next  day  our  batteries  opened  fire  at 
a  distance  of  400  yards. 

On  the  night  of  the  1 1th  we  had  begun  to  erect  our  batteries. 
One  of  four  guns  and  a  howitzer,  to  enfilade  the  front,  attacked 
(south  face) ;  one  of  four  24-pounders,  to  batter  in  breach ;  and 
a  third,  a  little  to  the  right  of  that,  of  two  24-pounders,  to  ruin 
defences.     Besides  these,  there  was  a  battery  of  three  mortars. 

On  the  13th  night  we  broke  ground,  carried  on  trenches  for 
150  toises,  and  constructed  two  parallels;  the  next  day  we 
pushed  our  trenches  by  sap  close  to  the  edge  of  the  counter- 
scarp. 

Finding  we  were  battering  a  stone  cavalier,  it  was  determined 
to  construct  a  battery  of  two  24-pounders  on  the  edge  of  the 
counter-scarp,  and  to  batter  a  little  more  to  the  right. 

This  battery  was  opened  on  the  16th  morning  with  great 
success,  and  we  succeeded  in  breaching  a  hole  "  through  and 
through.''  On  the  16th  night  we  repaired  embrasures,  and 
made  a  sap  to  the  ditch  in  order  to  fill  it. 

On  this  night  we  had  two  officers  and  twenty  men  wounded, 
besides  some  "  blacks."  The  Killadar's  family,  trying  to  escape 
from  the  fort,  were  captured. 

From  the  17th  to  the  20th  we  were  engaged  in  carrying  a 
descent  into  the  ditch,  extending  parallels  to  the  left,  and  making 
a  breach  so  low  as  to  perceive  another  wall,  an  old  gateway 
having  formerly  existed  there. 

On  the  22nd  the  pettah  was  stormed  and  captured,  after  a 
little  resistance.  The  great  obstacle  to  the  capture  of  the  fort 
was  found  to  be  the  breadth  and  depth  of  the  ditch.  A  success- 
ful attempt  was  made  to  partially  drain  it.  On  l7th  November 
the  water  in  it  had  been  lowered  one  foot,  and  water  continued 
to  run  off. 

On  16th  November,  Caillaud  "  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  that 
valuable  man.  Captain  Leigh,  of  the  Engineers,  who  was  killed 
by  a  musket  shot."     At  this  time  Leigh  was  the  only  engineer 


1761.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  59 

officer  present,  and  Major  Barker  offered  his  services  to  carry 
on  the  works.  It  was  now,  more  than  ever,  necessary  that 
Stevenson  and  Cotsford  should  he  present,  and  the  Chief  and 
Council  of  Tellicherry  were  asked  to  send  them  overland.  They 
arrived  in  camp  ahout  lOth  December,  but  by  what  route  they 
came  is  not  known. 

Meantime,  the  gallery  over  the  ditch,  having  been  formed  by 
us,  was  destroyed  by  the  enemy,  and  our  army  was  greatly  in 
want  of  stores.  Call  was,  in  the  absence  of  other  engineers, 
sent  to  Vellore  on  4th  December,  and  on  the  same  day  the 
Killadar  expressed  his  anxiety  to  treat  for  peace,  but  the  attack 
was  in  no  w^ay  relaxed.  On  the  11th  the  Killadar  determined  to 
give  up  the  fort  to  the  Nabob.  Vakeels  were  accordingly  sent 
from  the  Killadar  to  the  Nabob  at  Arcot.  The  attack  was  dis- 
continued on  this  account,  but  the  gallery  across  the  ditch  was 
still  pushed  on. 

The  Council  at  Madras,  in  allowing  Call  to  go  to  the  siege, 
say  that  "as  he  had  the  rank  of  Captain  since  1757,  when  he 
was  second  engineer,  he  was  now  to  have  the  rank  of  Major, 
from  date  of  his  commission  as  chief  engineer." 

Captain-Lieutenant  Stevenson  was  appointed  sub-director  and 
captain  from  16th  November  1761  (date  of  death  of  Leigh); 
Lieutenant  Cotsford,  engineer-in-ordinary,  Captain-Lieutenant; 
and  Barnard  appointed  practitioner  engineer,  and  Ensign. 

Directly  the  Council  learnt  that  Stevenson  and  Cotsford  had 
arrived,  they  told  Call  that  as  soon  as  Vellore  was  taken  he  was 
to  proceed  to  Timery  and  Cauverypauk,  remove  stores  thence  to 
Arcot,  and  destroy  the  two  forts.  Having  done  this,  he  was  to 
go  to  Chettipet  and  Carangooly,  send  the  stores  to  Wandewash, 
and  destroy  those  two  also. 

IMajor  Call  had  represented  to  Caillaud  the  necessity  of 
forming  a  Pioneer  Company  of  sixty  men,  with  officers,  and 
recommended  Captain  Bonjour  for  the  commandant,  with  the 
rank  of  Captain. 


60  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1761 

Caillaud  was  accordingly  authorised  to  raise  this  body  of 
pioneers.  Captain  Bonjour  was  appointed  Commandant,  and 
Mr.  Canmore  Lieutenant.  The  Pioneers  were  allowed  double 
pay  during  the  siege  of  Vellore,  and  in  future  were  to  have 
this  ■whenever  they  were  employed  on  active  service  in  the 
field. 

Nothing  very  much  more  of  interest  occurred  during  the 
remainder  of  the  siege;  but  on  the  1 8th  December  Captain 
Stevenson  was  w^ounded  in  the  head,  while  a  Mr.  Lloyd  was 
killed  in  the  trenches.  The  gallery  was  well  advanced,  but  as  it 
went  on  slowly  Call  proposed  to  fill  up  the  ditch  uncovered. 
On  the  23rd  fifteen  feet  was  done  without  loss,  on  the  24th 
forty-five  feet  more,  and  a  level  passage  made,  above  water,  to 
the  foot  of  the  breach,  with  small  loss.  On  the  2nth  Vellore 
Fort  surrendered  at  discretion,  and  j\Tajnr  Campbell  took  pos- 
session. The  hill  forts  of  Sazarow,  Gazarow,  and  Mortazagur 
were  surrendered  at  the  same  time.  Major  Call,  in  his  report, 
says  that  the  passage  across  the  ditch  being  effected,  nothing 
could  have  prevented  our  opening  the  whole  fire  of  fourteen  guns 
and  nine  mortars  on  the  20th,  when  the  Killadar,  seeing  it 
was  hopeless,  agreed  to  surrender.  Call  immediately  visited  the 
front  attacked,  and  examined  the  preparations  made  for  the 
defence.  He  found  them  to  be  such  as  might  have  cost  many 
lives  to  get  over,  and  considering  the  number  and  hard  duty  of 
the  garrison,  he  thought  it  was  astonishing  how  they  were 
efiected. 

Behind  the  second  intended  breach  he  found  a  ditch  within 
the  rampart,  and  five  mines  loaded  under  it.  Behind  that  ditch 
was  a  breastwork  with  a  ditch  in  front  of  it. 

Six  guns  were  planted  on  the  breastwork,  with  places  for  two 
tiers  of  musketry.  He  thought  the  Killadar  w^as  indefatigable 
in  searching  for  obstacles,  and  had  proved  himself  not  unskilled 
in  the  art  of  defence. 

Three  days  must,  however,  have  made  us  masters  of  Vellore, 


1762.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  61 

although  Major  Call  was  persuaded  that  many  must  have  fallen 
in  the  assault,  and  much  ammunition  been  expended. 

Besides  this,  the  hill  forts  might  have  held  out,  and  given 
much  trouble.  They  were  extremely  difficult  of  access  by  the 
common  road,  and  might  be  considered  impregnable,  especially 
the  middle  one  called  Gazarow.  The  pettah  was  greatly  pro- 
tected by  them,  and  the  attack  of  Vellore  on  north-east  and 
south  might  be  rendered  very  dangerous  were  the  forts  furnished 
with  heavy  cannon  and  ammunition. 

The  south  front  of  Vellore  was  much  battered,  and  required 
immediate  repair.  The  engineers  at  once  commenced  to  carry 
out  these,  as  well  as  to  remove  the  gallery  from  the  ditch,  fill  in 
the  trenches,  and  level  the  batteries.  Major  Call  estimated  the 
cost  of  repairs,  &c  at  1,00,000  rupees,  and  was  of  opinion  that 
when  that  had  been  properly  laid  out,  and  proper  supplies  of 
artillery  and  stores  put  in,  no  force  could  be  collected  to  take 
them  from  150  Europeans  and  1,000  sepoys.  He  considered 
that  Vellore,  with  the  three  hill  forts,  formed  the  strongest 
fortifications  he  had  seen  in  India. 

Towards  the  close  of  1762  Major  John  Call  submitted  five 
alternative  plans  for  strengthening  the  south  front  of  Fort 
St.  George.  The  Council  selected  No.  4  as  by  far  the  most 
preferable  in  point  of  size  and  small  number  of  troops 
for  its  defence,  and  ordered  the  chief  engineer  to  at  once  set 
to  work. 

Call  thus  describes  the  selected  project:  "No.  4  is  a  project 
calculated  to  remedy  defects,  and  really  would  render  the  south 
front  superior  to  any  other,  but  it  would  prove  a  very  expensive 
undertaking. 

"The  old  bastion  in  this  remains  as  a  kind  of  retrenchment, 
and  is  enveloped  by  another  of  a  good  size,  and  the  curtain  is 
enlarged.  Instead  of  a  little  ravelin  with  flanks,  the  faces  of  the 
two  lunettes  are  continued  till  they  join  the  faces  of  the  ravelin, 
and  the  whole  is  formed  into  one  work,  which  mav  be  called  a 


62  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [17C2. 

double  tenaillon,  the  exterior  faces  of  "which  defend  each  other 
reciprocally,  and  the  wings  are  well  flanked  by  the  collateral 
bastions ;  so  that  here  is  one  capacious  extensive  work  which 
covers  the  whole  work  instead  of  three." 

"  Before  the  salient  angle  of  the  bastion  is  a  good  counter- 
guard,  well  flanked,  which  stops  all  approach  by  the  sea  side." 

"  In  short,  there  could  not  be  designed  a  stronger  project,  but 
the  expense  will  be  very  great." 

"In  the  previous  February  two  objects  had  been  proposed  ; 
either  to  fortify  the  south  front,  or  to  face  the  western  bastions 
and  curtains.  The  latter  of  these  was  justly  preferred,  and  is 
now  almost  complete." 

The  Board  resolved  also  that  the  north-west  curtain  should 
be  continued  till  it  joined  the  north  curtain,  and  that  the 
enclosure  of  the  town  on  that  side  be  completed,  and  the  old 
town  wall,  as  well  as  part  of  the  sheds  belonging  to  the  Mint, 
be  removed,  and  the  old  Mint  bastion  destroyed,  to  open  a 
communication  between  the  north  part  of  the  town  and  the 
western  rampart. 

The  bank  and  hedge,  composed  of  bamboos,  milk-hedge, 
palmyras,  and  all  kinds  of  thorny  shrubs,  was  also  approved  of. 
The  blind  on  north-east  was  in  a  very  ruinous  state,  and  was 
to  be  made  into  a  more  useful  and  very  defensible  work,  by 
cutting  it  oft'  from  the  covered-way,  and  carrying  a  ditch  quite 
round  it  next  to  the  sea. 

In  this  report  it  is  remarked :  "  The  nabob  stone  pillars, 
which  formerly  composed  a  useful  colonnade  between  the  sea 
gate  and  the  inner  fort,  having  been  brought  back  from  Pondi- 
cherry  (the  French  must  have  removed  them  from  Madras 
between  1746  and  1749)  have  been  set  up  in  the  position  they 
formerly  stood.  There  were  also  many  of  the  timbers  brought 
with  them,  so  that  if  the  Honourable  Board  think  proper  they 
may  be  replaced,  and  the  terrace  completed,  as  opportunity  will 
admit." 


1762.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  63 

These  pillars,  it  is  supposed,  are  the  fine  black  stone  ones 
which  now  form  a  portion  of  the  building  containing  the  old 
Government  records. 

On  the  28th  June  1762  an  expedition  was  proposed  against 
Manilla.  General  Lawrence,  Mr.  Bourchier,  and  Major  John 
Call  dissented,  but  it  was  nevertheless  despatched.  General 
Draper  commanded  the  army,  the  command  of  the  fleet  being 
with  Admiral  Cornish.  Below  I  give  the  report  of  the  engineer 
commanding  on  the  expedition,  Captain  Stevenson. 

"  The  President  and  Council  not  thinking  proper  to  spare 
Major  Call,  did  me  the  honour  of  appointing  me  engineer  on 
this  expedition,  with  the  assistance  of  Messrs.  Cotsford  and 
Barnard;  as  which  I  think  it  incumbent  on  me  to  give  an 
account  of  our  military  transactions  from  our  arrival  before  the 
place  till  we  became  masters  of  it ;  but  as  these  matters  cannot 
so  properly  be  introduced  in  a  letter,  I  have  collected  them  in 
the  form  of  a  journal  apart,  and  shall  make  the  description  of 
the  fortifications  the  subject  of  this : — 

"  The  city  of  Manilla  lies  in  a  large  bay  in  the  Island  of 
Luconia,  of  near  thirty  leagues  in  circumference,  in  14°  40'  N. 
latitude,  and  3^  30'  to  the  west  of  St.  Bernardino.  It  is  about 
two  miles  and  a  half  in  circumference,  and  the  buildings  pretty 
regular,  crossing  each  other  at  right  angles. 

"The  lower  stories  of  the  houses  are  of  stone,  and  the  upper 
of  wood,  on  account  of  the  frequency  of  earthquakes  in  these 
parts.  Some  of  the  churches  and  convents  are  entirely  of  stone, 
but  then  the  walls  are  of  a  surprising  thickness.  Many  of  the 
buildings  are  very  large,  but  few  worthy  of  particular  notice  on 
account  of  their  architecture. 

"  The  foot  of  the  walls  to  north-west  is  washed  by  a  fine 
broad  river,  navigable  for  small  vessels  a  great  way  up  the 
country.  There  is,  I  am  told,  eight  feet  on  the  bar  at  high 
water  during  the  driest  season  of  the  year."  "  The  entrance  is 
preserved  by  two  piers,  which  run   500  or  600   yards  into  the 


64  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1762. 

bay,  which  would  otherwise  be  choked  up  by  a  bank  of  sand." 
"  The  north-west  end  of  the  city  is  cut  off  from  the  rest  by  a 
regular  front,  with  its  ditch  and  drawbridge,  and  forms  the 
citadel  called  St.  Jago,  which  is  triangular,  and  commands  the 
city,  bay,  and  river."  "  The  walls  of  the  city  are  of  stone,  and 
the  fortifications  tolerably  regular.  Between  the  bastions  of 
St.  Michael  of  the  citadel  and  the  Royal  bastion  St.  Diego, 
which  comprehends  the  sea  front,  are  the  small  low  bastions 
of  St.  Francisco,  St.  John,  St.  Isabel,  St.  Joseph,  and  St. 
Eugenio,  with  long  low  curtains  between  them,  without 
either  ditch  or  palisade  before  them,"  "  The  walls  are  from 
twelve  to  fourteen  feet  high,  and  the  ramparts  about  eight 
feet  broad.  There  is  in  this  front  a  sally-port  and  the  gate  of 
St    Lucia." 

"  The  Royal  bastions  of  St.  Diego  and  St.  Andrew,  with  the 
intermediate  curtain,  make  a  very  formidable  front,  the  bastions 
mounting  twelve  guns  in  face,  four  in  flank,  and  the  curtain 
sixteen,  with  a  wet  ditch,  low  covered-way,  and  low  glacis  before 
the  whole.  In  tliis  front  is  one  of  the  principal  gates  of  the 
city,  called  Porta  Real,  with  its  drawbridge,  and  a  small  ravelin 
before  it.  Next  to  the  bastion  of  St.  Andrew,  is  the  Royal 
bastion  of  St.  Lorenzo,  which  is  a  very  spacious  one,  but  mounts 
all  its  cannon  en  barbette ;  the  curtain  between  it  and  St. 
Andrew's  is  not  above  eight  feet  broad,  and  continues  about  the 
same  breadth  from  St.  Lorenzo  to  St.  Gabriel.  Between  these 
two  bastions  is  the  Parian  Gate,  which  leads  to  the  Chinese 
town  and  suburbs  of  Santa  Cruz  and  Minuuda.  The  projecting 
part  of  this  gate  forms  a  small  flat  bastion,  the  gateway  opening 
through  the  flank." 

"  There  is  a  kind  of  double  tenail  before  this  gate,  but  it  is  a 
very  low,  defenceless  work.  The  bastion  St.  Gabriel  mounts 
seven  guns  in  face  and  two  in  flank,  but  they  are  so  crowded 
that  half  of  them  would  be  useless  on  service." 

"  Before  the  two  last-mentioned  fronts  runs  a  broad  morass 


1762.] 


MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  65 


which  serves  for  a  ditch,  and  is  a  very  good  defence   at  high 
water,  but  almost  dry  when  the  tide  is  out." 

"  From  the  bastion  of  St.  Gabriel  to  St.  Francisco  of  the 
citadel,  runs  a  low  narrow  curtain,  only  broad  enough  for 
musketry,  having  no  cannon  for  its  defence,  but  from  the  flanks 
of  St.  Domingo  and  St.  Gabriel.  But  this  front  is  very  well 
secured  by  the  river."' 

"  It  has  in  it  two  gates,  one  called  St.  Domingo,  and  the 
other  the  Magazine  Gate.  At  the  extreme  front  of  the  citadel, 
under  the  bastion  St,  Barbera,  are  two  semi-circular  batteries 
that  command  the  entrance  of  the  river,  and  communicate  with 
the  bastion  by  a  swamp."  "  The  natural  situation  of  Manilla  is 
such  that,  should  it  ever  be  thought  necessary,  it  is  capable  of 
being  made  a  very  formidable  place  ;  but  not  at  a  small  expense, 
being  so  extensive." 

The  vicinity  of  the  suburbs  is  one  of  the  greatest  obstacles  at 
present  to  its  making  a  good  defence  against  an  European  force, 
as  we  experienced  in  attacking  it,  by  taking  possession  of  the 
churches  of  St.  Jago  and  Bagombaya  (that  are  not  300  yards 
from  the  walls)  the  day  after  our  landing,  behind  which  our 
troops  were  lodged  in  the  greatest  security,  and  all  the  necessaries 
for  carrying  on  the  attack  collected  with  great  facility  ;  whereas 
had  there  been  an  esplanade  of  700  or  800  yards,  we  should 
have  been  obliged  to  open  our  trenches  at  that  distance — the 
fatigues  of  carrying  on  which,  and  relieving  the  guards  of  them, 
would  have  been  more  than  our  handful  of  men  could  have  got 
through  with,  for  we  were  obliged  to  employ  our  soldiers  in 
bringing  up  our  shot  and  shell,  cannon,  &c.  from  the  landing- 
place,  the  natives,  instead  of  assisting  us,  being  in  arms 
against  us." 

"  Another  great  fault  is,  the  parapets  of  all  the  works  are  of 
stone,  which,  instead  of  being  a  protection  to  the  troops  placed 
behind  for  their  defence,  make  a  greater  destruction  among  them 
(owing  to  their  splinters)  than  the  enemv's  shot ;  which  we  had  a 

6 


G6  MILITARY   HISTOEY    OF    THE  [17C3. 

convincing  proof  of  on  opening  our  battery,  for,  notwithstanding 
they  could  oppose  twice  the  quantity  of  cannon  against  our 
battery  that  we  had  in  it,  yet  they  were  obliged  to  abandon  them 
all  in  a  few  hours,  not  being  able  to  stand  on  their  works  for 
the  splinters  of  the  parapets. 

"  The  speediest  and  least  expensive  way  of  making  it  more 
respectable  to  an  European  enemy  would  be  to  make  good 
parapets  of  earth  on  all  the  works  that  are  spacious  enough  to 
allow  of  it;  to  deepen  the  ditch  considerably  on  the  east  and 
south-east  fronts  ;  to  build  batardeaux  with  sluices  where  the 
ditch  communicates  with  the  river,  that  the  water  may  be  kept 
up  at  spring  tides  in  the  ditch  and  inundations,  and  not  suffered 
to  ebb  and  flow  with  tlie  river  as  at  present,  by  which  it  happens 
frequently  that  the  water  in  the  ditches  is  not  knee-deep  when 
the  tide  is  out."  "  The  ditch  should  be  continued  round  the 
west  face  of  the  bastion  St.  Diego,  and  a  stout  work  built  to 
defend  it,  as  well  as  to  shut  up  entirely  the  sea  front,  which  is 
very  weak  and  defenceless.  The  glacis  before  the  south-east 
front  should  likewise  be  considerably  raised,  and  the  buildings 
cleared  away  within  at  least  (iOO  yards  of  the  walls  all  round. 
The  north  front  would  require  nothing  further  than  to  be  well 
palisadoed,  the  river  being  a  sufficient  security  to  that  side. 
Should  it  be  ever  found  necessary  to  go  to  the  expense  of 
putting  it  in  the  above-mentioned  state,  I  look  upon  it  that, 
properly  garrisoned,  with  an  experienced  officer  to  command  it, 
it  would  be  capable  of  making  a  very  good  defence  against  the 
most  formidable  European  force  that  may  be  expected  in  this 
part  of  the  world ;  but  should  it  only  be  thought  necessary  to 
secure  it  against  all  attempts  of  the  natives,  palisadoes  set  up  in 
those  parts  where  the  walls  are  low,  and  the  water  kept  up  in  the 
ditch  by  a  batardeau,  will  secure  it  from  anything  that  can  be 
feared  from  them.  1  hope  the  above  description  of  the  place, 
with  the  assistance  of  the  enclosed  plan,  will  sufficiently  explain 
anything  relating  to  fortifications.     I  have  been  so   employed 


1762.]  MADKAS    ENGINEERS.  67 

since  the  capture  of  the  phice,  that  I  am  ohliged  to  defer 
sending  a  particular  phin  of  the  town  and  harbour  of  Cavite  till 
another  opportunity. 

"  I  am,  with  the  utmost  respect,  &c.  &c. 

"  Wm.  Stevenson. 

"  Manilla,  November  10th,  1762." 

The  fleet,  consisting  of  eight  ships  of  the  line,  three  frigates, 
and  two  Indiamen,  anchored  in  Manilla  bay  on  23rd  September, 
after  a  passage  of  eight  weeks.  The  same  evening,  boats 
sounded  the  entrance  to  Cavite  harbour,  and  left  a  buoy  450 
yards  from  Rivera  Point  in  four  and  a  half  fathoms.  The  next 
day  an  officer  with  a  Spanish  flag,  came  on  board  to  know  why 
we  had  entered  the  bay  (they  had  not  heard  of  the  declaration 
of  war). 

The  English  determined  to  attack  Manilla,  and  not  Cavite. 
Officers  were  sent  to  demand  surrender. 

The  bay  was  then  reconnoitred,  with  a  view  to  select  a  proper 
spot  for  landing  the  troops ;  and  in  the  evening  the  troops 
lauded  one  and  a  quarter  miles  south  of  the  fort.  There  was  a 
good  surf  on,  and  several  of  the  boats  were  stove  in ;  but  no 
lives  were  lost. 

The  troops  took  post  at  Malatta  Church,  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
beyond  the  landing-place. 

On  the  2r)th,  early,  Colonel  Monsou  advanced  with  a  company 
of  7'Jth,  and  took  post  at  the  Hermitage,  000  or  700  yards  from 
the  walls,  and  in  the  afternoon  a  party  was  advanced  to  the 
church  of  St.  Jago,  300  yards  from  the  walls. 

On  the  2Gth  the  enemy  were  driven  from  Bagombaya  Church. 
We  were  in  great  distress  for  want  of  fascines  and  tools,  the 
store-ships  not  having  arrived.  A  party  of  400  men  were 
employed  in  making  fascines  and  gabions.  Two  mortars  were 
brought  up,  and  some  shells  thrown  into  the  city.  Some 
straggling  seamen  were  murdered  by  the  natives. 

5  * 


(jS  military   history    of    the  [1762. 

On  the  27th  we  continued  to  make  gabions,  &c.,  and  opened 
fire  at  night  from  two  more  mortars  from  behind  the  church, 
and  threw  up  a  breast-work  to  the  left  of  St.  Jago. 

On  the  28th,  Lieutenant  Fryer,  the  General's  secretary, 
going  into  garrison  this  morning  with  a  flag  of  truce,  to 
conduct  a  relative  of  the  Governor,  was  murdered. 

The  Governor  expressed  the  utmost  horror  of  the  act. 

On  the  29th  we  broke  ground,  and  commenced  a  battery  of 
eight  24 -pounders,  300  yards  from  the  walls,  to  breach  the  face 
of  the  bastion  of  St.  Diego,  near  the  angle,  the  ditch  terminating 
to  the  right  of  it. 

Two  ships  came  in  {Elizabeth  60,  and  Falmouth  50  guns), 
moored  on  the  capital  of  the  bastion  of  St.  Diego,  one  mile 
distant,  and  fired  into  the  town. 

October  1st. — We  began  a  battery  this  afternoon  for  two 
13-inch  and  two  10-inch  mortars,  and  at  night  a  strong 
working-party  was  employed  in  completing  an  eight-gun  battery. 

There  was  a  severe  gale  of  wind  this  night,  and  the  store- 
ships  were  driven  on  shore ;  but  our  stores  were  landed.  The 
next  day,  the  wind  continuing  to  blow  very  fresh,  a  boat  from 
the  wrecks  was  overset,  and  most  of  the  people  in  her  perished  ; 
amongst  them  an  officer,  Lieutenant  Hardwick. 

The  platforms  were  laid  this  day,  and  all  the  guns  brought 
into  our  battery. 

The  battery  was  completed  at  night,  and  the  mortar-battery 
was  also  nearly  ready. 

On  the  3rd,  at  daybreak,  we  opened  fire  from  eight 
24-pounders  and  five  mortars.  Our  fire  was  at  first  answered 
briskly,  but  the  enemy  were  silenced  in  two  hours,  and  before 
night  our  artillery  had  nearly  ruined  the  defences  on  the  bastion 
of  St.  Diego.  During  the  night  another  battery  of  three 
2J:-pounders  was  formed,  to  destroy  the  defences  of  the  Eavelin, 
and  the  flank  of  St.  Andrew's,  which  defended  the  breach  ;  also 
the  flank  of  the  small  bastion  of  St.  Joseph. 


1762.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  69 

All  night  a  constant  fire  of  grape  and  musketry  was  kept  up 
on  the  breach,  and  all  our  mortars  were  directed  to  that 
part. 

■ith. — A  party  of  enemy's  irregulars  surprised  the  seamen's 
quarters  at  3  a.m.,  and  killed  and  wounded  a  good  many  ;  thev 
were,  however,  finally  repulsed,  and  lost  200  in  their  retreat. 
A  Mr.  Porter,  of  the  fleet,  was  wounded — a  very  active,  brave 
young  fellow.  Another  party  got  possession  of  Bagombava 
Church,  and  killed  and  wounded  sixteen  or  seventeen  of  our 
men  ;  but  in  their  retreat  they  suffered  very  much.  Among  the 
killed  was  Captain  Strahan,  who  commanded  our  partv  at  the 
church. 

This  night  the  three-gun  battery  was  finished. 

The  face  of  the  bastion  of  St.  Diego  was  in  a  very  ruinous 
condition,  and  we  prevented  them  repairing  it  by  a  constant  fire 
of  grape,  &c. 

.5th. — The  platforms  were  laid  in  three-gun  battery,  and  we 
then  opened  our  fire  on  St.  Andrew's  Bastion,  which  was  shortly 
after  abandoned  by  the  enemy.  They  brought  three  guns  on 
the  curtain  to  bear  on  ours,  but  they  were  shortly  dismantled. 

A  man  was  sent  to  the  counterscarp  to  examine  the  breach. 
He  reported  it  practicable,  on  which  the  General  determined  to 
attack  next  morning,  as  our  little  army  commenced  to  complain 
of  fatigue — being  no  sooner  relieved  of  a  guard  than  sent  on  a 
working-party,  and  that  in  heavy  rain,  which  we  were  seldom 
without  during  the  whole  siege. 

6th. — An  hour  before  daybreak  the  whole  army  was  under 
arms.     The  disposition  for  attack  was  as  follows  : — 

Twenty  volunteers  and  an  officer  from  each  corps  made  first 
attack ;  these  were  followed  by  grenadiers ;  after  these  the 
pioneers,  with  everything  necessary  for  making  a  lodgment ; 
after  them  the  whole  army.  Parties  were  posted  all  along  the 
front,  with  musketry  and  field-pieces,  to  keep  the  enemy  from 
their  parapets  whilst  our  troops  advanced. 


70  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [176-2. 

An  officer  and  thirty  men  were  posted  in  the  steeple  of 
Bagombaya  Church,  to  prevent  them  firing  from  St.  Andrew's 
Bastion.  Signal  being  given,  our  troops  marched  on  briskly, 
and  were  in  possession  of  the  breached  bastion  before  the  enemy 
were  alarmed  ;  and  we  did  not  meet  with  much  opposition  in 
getting  possession  of  the  sea-line  and  St.  Andrew's ;  but 
in  attempting  to  open  the  Royal  Gate  we  lost  some  men,  and 
Major  Moore,  79th.  A  number  of  men  got  inside  the  guard- 
house, and  refused  to  lay  down  their  arms  ;  they  were  all  put  to 
the  sword,  to  the  number  of  sixty  or  seventy.  About  thirty 
more  shared  the  same  fate  at  the  Parian  Gate.  As  our  troops 
marched  up  the  street  they  were  fired  at  from  houses.  Even 
after  our  troops  had  given  quarter,  and  while  a  flag  of  truce  from 
the  citadel  was  with  us,  several  of  our  people  were  killed  and 
wounded;  but  on  the  General  sending  an  officer  into  the  citadel, 
all  hostilities  ceased. 

The  Governor  came  out  about  ft,  and  our  troops  took  possession 
at  9. 

During  the  siege  three  officers  were  killed — 

Lieutenant  Porter  ..  Sea  Battalion. 

Captain  Strahan  ...  79th. 

Lieutenant  Fryer  ...  (With  flag  of  truce). 

Lieutenant  Spearing,  of  the  Marines,  was  wounded. 

The  day  of  the  storm — 
Killed— 

Major  Moore       ...  ...  79th. 

Wounded — 

Captain  Sleigh  ...  Grenadiers. 

Lieutenant  Garnons  .  79th. 

Lieutenant  Hazlewood  ...  79th. 

Lieutenant  Hogg  ...  79th. 

Ensign  ...  Sea  Battalion. 


Siege   of    Manilla 
1762. 


1763-63.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  71 

Drowned — 

Lieutenant  Hardwick. 

Total — 5  Officers  killed  and  6  wounded. 

We  had  Europeans  killed         ...         21  +  69  wounded. 
Sepoys  „  ...  5  +  23 


26  +  92  =  118. 

The  reason  for  the  small  loss  in  assault  was  owing  to  the 
enemy's  bad  look-out ;  for  we  were  in  possession  of  the  breach 
before  they  were  fairly  alarmed. 

The  Spaniards  had  three  officers,  two  sergeants,  fifty  troops 
of  the  Line,  and  thirty  militia  killed,  without  reckoning  the 
wounded.     The  Indians  had  300  killed  and  400  wounded. 

Money  and  plate  distributed  to  the  victors  amounted  to 
4,9n,000  dollars,  of  which  one-third  was  allotted  to  the  East 
India  Company. 

The  English  remained  in  possession  of  Manilla  till  31st 
March  1704,  when  news  arrived  of  the  Treaty  of  Peace,  and 
the  English  evacuated  Manilla,  Spanish  authority  being 
re-established. 

On  l")th  April  1768,  the  governor  of  Fort  St.  George  con- 
sidered tlie  pass  of  Santgad  of  so  much  consequence  for  the 
security  of  the  Carnatic,  that  Major  Campbell  was  directed  to 
order  a  captain  to  take  command  of  the  forts,  and  Major  Call, 
the  chief  engineer,  was  told  to  take  a  survey  of  the  forts  and 
pass,  give  directions  for  strengthening  them,  and  also  inspe'»t  the 
works  at  Vellore  itself. 

Major  Call  carried  out  his  orders,  and  returned  to  Madras  on 
the  2nd  May. 

The  forts  of  Santgad  lie  rather  more  than  thirty  miles  west 
of  Vellore.  Major  Call  considered  the  place  exceedingly  strong 
by  nature. 

He  left  Mr.  John  McLean   there  to    make   a  survey  of  the 


72  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [17C3. 

pettah  and  hills.  Meantime  he  stated  that  "  he  thought  we 
should  only  hold  the  hills,  and  that  a  small  force  would  sufi&ce 
for  this  purpose." 

Call  reported  :   "  It  appears  that  the  first  pass  from  the  Deccan, 
through  the  chain  of  mountains  which  divide  the  Peninsula,  into 
the   Carnatic,   is  at  Damalcherry,  which   lays  directly  west   of 
Madras,  and  is  in  the  possession  of  a  polygar,  supposed  to  be  a 
friend  ;  the  next  is  about  thirty  miles  further  south,  and  is  called 
Cuddapahnuttam,    now    in    our    hands.     The    third    is    called 
Gejadavy,  about  forty  miles   south    of  the   second.     The  fourth 
is  called  Metteepettah,  or  Ahtur  Pass,  directly  inland  of  Thiagur, 
and    about    thirty  miles  from  it.     The  fifth,   and  last,  is  near 
Tureyore,  and  has  been  seldom,  or  never,  used  for  incursions.    The 
three  first,  are  those  through  which  the  Mahrattas  or  the  Subah's 
troops  have  commonly  entered  the  Carnatic,  and  the  other  two 
are  only  open  to  the  Mysoreans  ;  but  the  possession  of  Thiagur 
will  render  that  at  Ahtur  very  hazardous  to  an  enemy.     Through 
the  Damalcherry  no  enemy  can  enter  if  the  Polygars  oppose 
him,  and    they  are  all  well   affected   to    the    Nabob.      While 
the   Nabob  is   master   of  Tripety,    Chundergerry,  and    all  the 
neighbouring  country,  Cuddapahnattum  is  secured  ;  and  though 
Vaniembaddy  is  in  the  hands  of  Hyder  Naigue,  or  the  Mah- 
rattas, and  Gejadavy  open  to  them,  an  enemy  entering  that  way 
must  pass  near  Amboor  (held  by  a  friend  of  the  Nabob),  and  in 
sight  of  Sautgur  ;  and  they  must  also  pass  near  Vellore  before 
they  can  come  into  the  Carnatic,  to   do  any  mischief — so  that, 
being  possessed  of  Sautgur  and  Vellore,  the  three  most  dangerous 
passes  are  either  shut  up  or  rendered   very  hazardous  to  pass 
through  or  retreat  by." 

"From  Santgur  to  Cuddapahnuttam  Pass  the  distance  is 
fifteen  miles,  and  the  road,  for  the  latter  half  of  the  way,  is 
flanked  by  hills  on  each  side,  within  the  reach  of  musketry, 
which  hills  at  last  join  together,  and  a  very  narrow  passage  (not 
more  than  six  feet  wide,  with  very  high  banks  on  the  sides)  is 


I7n.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  73 

cut  through  one  of  them  for  100  yards,  where  a  gate  closes  the 
entrance  from  the  west,  and  to  the  right  and  left  is  carried  on  a 
wall  to  defend  the  passage.  After  passing  through  the  gate  the 
road  is  quite  environed  with  hills,  which  continue  very  close  to 
each  other  as  far  as  Cuddapahnattum,  which  is  also  in  the 
Nabob's  possession,  and  about  eight  miles  beyond  the  pass. 
That  any  body  of  men,  large  or  small,  should  pass  through  this 
defile  when  opposed  by  a  few  men  with  musketry,  I  am  persuaded 
is  impossible,  and  no  artillery,  or  any  other  large  carriages,  can 
pass,  even  without  opposition,  unless  they  are  dismounted." 

Call  also  visited  Vellore,  and  states : — 

''  I  shall  always  think  that  Vellore,  finished  as  it  is  begun,  and, 
as  proposed,  furnished  with  provisions  and  ammunition  sufficient 
to  serve  a  moderate  garrison  for  a  long  time,  would  be  an  under- 
taking no  country  power  in  India  could  think  of  attempting;  and 
no  European  power  that  had  not  been  long  established  on  the 
coast,  with  plenty  of  all  necessaries  and  stores,  while  unassisted 
by  the  Carnatic  Government,  could  possibly  accomplish  it  in 
many  months." 


74  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  fiTfls 


CHAPTER  IV. 


Siege  of  Madura. — Lawrence's  proclamation. — Tanjore  Rajah  agrees  to  co- 
operate.— Council  of  war. — Siege  raised. — Preston  left  in  command. — 
Charles  Campbell  appointed  to  command  the  army. — French  officer  offers 
to  desert. — Rebels  completely  invested. — Preston  marches  towards  Palam- 
cottah. — Siege  undertaken  in  earnest. — Hamilton  of  the  Engineers  killed. — 
Assault  made. — Preston  badly  womioled. — Pioneers  from  Manilla  arrive  in 
camp. — Engineers  at  the  siege. — Madura  taken. — Palamcottah  taken. — 
Survey  of  passage  between  Ceylon  and  mainland. — Death  of  Stevenson. — 
Madras  Government  entertain  fears  of  Hyder  Ali. — Survey  of  the  passes. — 
Caillaud's  treaty  with  Nizam  Ali. — Colonel  Joseph  Smith  an'ives  in  India. — 
Colonel  Wood  commands  in  Carnatic. — Call  inspects  forts  and  passes. — 
Bonjour  takes  Vaniembaddy.- — Nizam  moves  towards  Bangalore  and  Colonel 
Smith  marches  to  join  him. — Nizam  Ali  commences  hostilities  against  us. — 
Colonel  Smith  takes  command  in  the  Baramahl. — Battle  of  Changama. — 
Battle  of  Trinomally. — Confederates  defeated. — Hyder  moves  to  Amboor. 
— Relief  of  Amboor. — Hyder  attacks  a  convoy,  and  is  repulsed. — Nizam 
treats  with  Smith. — Ignominious  peace  with  the  Nizam. — Hyder  goes  to 
west  coast. 

In  1759  the  Nabob's  Government,  finding  that  the  districts  of 
Madura  and  Tinnevelly  were  in  great  disorder,  and  that  they 
were  unable  to  get  any  revenue  from  them,  sent  Mahomed  Yusuf 
with  a  strong  force  to  take  charge  of  the  districts.  He  agreed 
to  rent  the  districts  for  an  annual  sum  of  seven  lacs  of  rupees. 
He  had  some  considerable  trouble  in  restoring  order,  but  being 
a  good  soldier,  he  eventually  succeeded,  and  introduced  a  good 
government.     He  was,  however,  unable  or  unwilling  to  pay  the 


I7r.a-|  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  75 

rent  required  of  him.  He  probably  contemplated  independence ; 
whether  he  was  unfaithful  or  not  does  not  seem  to  be  quite  clear. 
At  any  rate,  the  Nabob  and  the  English  Government  resolved  to 
coerce  him,  and  in  1763  an  army  was  sent  against  him.  He 
tried  by  negotiation,  and  by  his  influence  with  some  of  the 
English,  to  clear  himself ;  but  finding  this  of  no  avail,  deter- 
mined to  fight. 

His  lengthy  and  gallant  defence  show  that  he  had  much  money 
at  his  disposal :  hence  it  would  seem  that  he  really  did  intend  to 
found  an  independent  kingdom.  Orme  says  :  "  He  first  enlisted 
under  Captain  Clive,  a  little  before  the  battle  of  Covrepank 
(February  1752);  he  was  a  brave  and  resolute  man,  but  cool 
and  wary  in  action,  and  capable  of  stratagem  ;  he  constantlv 
procui'ed  intelligence  of  the  enemy's  motions,  and  having  a 
perfect  knowledge  of  the  country,  planned  the  marches  of  the 
convoys  so  well,  that  by  constantly  changing  the  roads,  and  the 
lines  of  bringing  the  provisions  out  of  the  woods,  not  one  of 
them  was  intercepted  for  three  months."  And  again  :  "Mahomed 
Isoof,  an  excellent  partisan,  whose  merit  had  raised  him  from  a 
captain  of  a  company  to  be  commander-in-chief  of  all  the  sepovs 
in  the  English  service."  * 

It  was  in  June  1763  that  Major- General  Lawrence  recom- 
mended that  the  expedition  against  Yusuf  Khan  (Usoff  Cawn  in 
old  records),  should  be  no  longer  delayed.  Colonel  Monson 
was  to  command,  and  Admiral  Cornish  was  desired  to  land  the 
troops  sent  from  Madras,  as  far  as  possible  to  the  south. 
Lawrence  himself  went  to  Cuddalore,  and  thence  to  Trichin- 
opoly.  On  8th  July  he  caused  a  public  notice  to  be  affixed  to 
the  gates  of  Trichinopoly  to  the  following  effect: — 

"  I,  Major-General  Lawrence,  do  hereby  give  notice  that  I 
have  joined  the  Nabob  against  the  rebel  Usoff  Cawn  ;  whoever  is 


•  On  5th  Fehniary  I7i"i9,  it  will  be  remembered,  this  man  was  presented  with 
an  amethyst  ring  set  with  diamonds. 


76  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  ri7a3. 

taken  with  him  will  be  deemed  a  rebel,  and  treated  accordingly ; 
but  those  who  leave  him  in  due  time,  or  before  his  troops  come 
to  any  action,  will  be  favourably  received  by  the  Nabob.  As 
the  English  are  in  peace  with  all  nations,  Europeans  who  are 
found  with  him  will  be  treated  as  rebels  likewise,  except  they 
leave  him  before  his  forces  act  against  the  English,  in  which 
case  they  may  be  assured  of  a  favourable  reception." 

A  few  days  after,  Monson  reached  Trichinopoly,  and  having 
heard  that  UsofF  Cawn  had  attacked  a  fort  belonging  to  the 
"  Nalcottah  man,"  ^lajor  Preston,  the  second  in  command,  was 
ordered  on  the  iJth  to  march  against  him.  General  Lawrence 
requested  that  Major  Call,  the  chief  engineer,  should  join  the 
army  at  once,  and  accordingly  he,  with  all  the  engineers,  set  out 
on  the  25th,  and  arrived  at  Trichinopoly  on  2nd  August.  On 
2 1  St  July  an  interview  took  place  between  the  Nabob  and  the 
King  of  Tanjare,  half-way  between  Trichinopoly  and  Tanjare, 
when  tlie  latter  promised  to  assist  with  troops  and  grain. 

The  artillery  and  stores  were  now  sent  forward  in  three 
divisions  well  covered  by  Major  Preston.  Some  correspondence 
took  place  between  Lawrence  and  the  Council,  regarding  the 
disposal  of  UsofF  Cawn  when  he  should  be  captured. 

Lawrence  thought  that  when  taken  he  should  not  be  sent  to 
Madras,  but  delivered  to  those  who  were  to  receive  the 
management  of  the  countries  he  had  usurped.  Mr.  Pigot  and 
Council,  however,  considered  that  UsofF  Cawn  would  be  a 
dangerous  man  to  be  entrusted  in  the  hands  of  the  Nabob  if  his 
intentions  were  to  make  him  a  State  prisoner,  "but  if  it  be 
agreeable  to  you  to  order  the  commanding  officer  to  execute 
him  upon  the  first  tree,  in  sight  of  the  army,  it  will  be  quite 
satisfactory  to  us." 

On  2nd  August,  Monson  marched  from  Trichinopoly,  while 
on  the  6th,  Preston  strongly  encamped  some  fifteen  miles  from 
Madura.  On  the  11th,  a  reconnoitring  party  on  our  side  was 
attacked  by  a  greatly  superior  force  and  obliged  to  retreat.     We 


1763.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  77 

lost  over  200  stand  of  arms,  and  150  sepoys  killed  and  wounded, 
and  forty  missing. 

The  enemy  also  suflfered  heavily. 

In  spite  of  this  reverse,  on  the  20th  we  captured  one  of  the 
out  forts,  and  three  days  after  the  rebels  made  their  escape  out 
of  Tirumboor,  and  abandoned  Vallichinattum  and  Omnasatrum 
forts. 

Monson  commended  Preston  greatly  for  the  capture  of 
Trivandore  and  Tirumboor. 

Monson  began  his  march  from  the  latter  place  on  28th 
August,  and  found  Usoff  Cawn  encamped  under  the  walls  of 
Madura.  The  Nattum  Pass  had  been  taken  possession  of  by 
Mr.  West  with  2,000  of  the  Nabob's  troops. 

Madura  was  now  partly  invested,  and  Monson  encamped 
at  Teppacolum  (by  this,  it  is  presumed,  is  meant  the  fine 
Teppacolum*  south  of  the  river,  two  or  three  miles  east  of  the 
town  and  fort). 

''  On  2nd  September,  Monson  went  out  with  the  European 
cavalry,  200  or  300  Black  Horse,  a  battalion  of  sepoys,  a 
European  picket,  and  two  guns  on  the  west  of  the  fort.  He 
fired  a  few  shots  from  the  guns,  advanced  the  cavalry,  and  these 
charged ;  they  were,  however,  deserted  by  the  *  Black  Horse,' 
and  had  to  retire  with  considerable  loss.  Captain  Donald 
Campbell  and  Lieutenant  Stevenson  missing.  Campbell  was 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner,  while  Stevenson  was  badly  wounded, 
and  died  a  short  time  after.  Our  loss  was  seventeen  European 
cavalry  killed  and  wounded.  Usofl"  Cawn  was  out  to  see  the 
fight,  met  Campbell,  and  expressing  his  great  regret  at  seeing 
him  wounded,  treated  him  most  civilly." 

Monson  and  Call  now  reconnoitred  the  north  side  of  the  fort. 
Call  was  of  opinion  that  Madura  could  not  be  attacked  with  less 
than  fourteen  guns  and  ammunition  for  ten   days'  firing.     He 

•  A  large  tank  built  of  Ashlar  masonry. 


78  MILITARY   HISTOEY    OF    THE  [I76a. 

considered  the  best  point  of  attack  would  be  the  north-east 
corner,  or  near  it,  on  the  east  face. 

"  It  would  be  necessary  to  have  an  enfilading  battery  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river,  on  line  of  the  east  front  of  the  fort 
produced,  and  a  post  must  there  be  established."  "  The 
extensive  esplanade  made  round  the  fort  made  it  necessary  to 
break  ground  some  1,200  or  1,500  yards  distant,  and  it  was 
clear  that  the  works  would  be  greatly  interrupted  by  sallies." 
Artillery  required  was  stated  to  be  ten  18-pounders  or  24-pounders, 
besides  four  12-pounders  for  enfilading,  ninety  rounds  per  day 
for  each  gun.  Call  also  gave  a  list  of  gabions,  fascines,  &c,, 
required. 

On  7th  September,  a  council  of  war  was  called,  at  which 
were  present  Majors  Piers,  Chapman,  Preston,  and  Call.  The 
question  put  was:  "  Shall  attack  be  undertaken  with  the  present 
quantity  of  cannon,  shot,  and  powder  ?  "  The  answer  was : 
"  Guns  and  ammunition  insufficient  to  undertake  the  siege  with 
any  prospect  of  success,  unless  they  can  be  supported  with 
2,400  24-pounder  shot,  2,U00  18-pounder  shot,  1,100 
12-pounder  shot,  and  937  60-lb.  barrels  of  powder.  This  would 
suffice  for  thirteen  days'  firing." 

The  reduction  of  Madura  could  not  be  laid  on  one  side ; 
although  Monson  thought  success  very  precarious,  as  he  could 
not  camp  within  two  and  a  half  to  three  miles  of  the  fort,  while 
Call  stated  that  he  could  not  break  ground  at  less  than  2,000 
yards.  To  add  to  these  difficulties,  the  country  was  greatly 
flooded. 

The  Council  in  Madras,  in  replying  to  this  report,  thinking  it 
possible  that  the  siege  might  have  to  be  abandoned,  directed 
Monson  in  the  following  amusing  manner  : — 

"  If  expedition  has  to  be  abandoned,  a  declaration  is  to  be 
sent  to  Mons.  Flamecourt  (in  command  of  the  French),  setting 
forth  that  we  do  so  to  avoid  acts  of  hostility  against  the 
French  "  !  ! 


1763.] 


MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  79 


During  the  month  of  September  the  work  was  much  retarded 
by  rains. 

We  opened  fire  on  the  fort  on  the  24:th  September,  and  after 
five  days'  firing  it  was  reported  that  very  little  success  had  been 
attained.  There  was  a  two-gun  battery  within  200  yards  of 
north-east  angle,  to  ruin  the  face  of  it;  two  guns  more  at  500 
yards  to  ruin  the  shoulder  and  re-entering  angle ;  four  more 
playing  on  a  large  bastion  on  the  east  front ;  but  little  or  no 
impression  was  made. 

On  the  28th  Call  pushed  on  by  night  as  far  as  possible,  and 
gained  the  glacis  by  a  double  sap.  It  now  appeared  that  unless 
we  could  keep  up  a  constant  heavy  fire,  we  should  have  no 
alternative  but  to  retire  to  Tirumboor  and  Nattum,  and  wait  till 
the  monsoon  was  over.  Gaining  the  glacis  by  a  direct  double 
sap  was  ineffectual,  as  the  rebels  opened  three  guns  on  our 
fiauk. 

On  2nd  October  we  began  a  battery  to  ruin  the  flank.  It 
was  hoped  that  this  battery  would  be  finished  on  the  5th,  and 
Monson  reported  that  if  he  judged  he  had  sufficient  powder  and 
shot  to  destroy  the  flank  and  make  a  breach,  he  would  commence 
firing  ;  but  if  he  could  get  none  from  Trichinopoly,  he  would 
call  a  council  of  war. 

On  27th  October  he  stated  that  "it  was  unadvisable  to  con- 
tinue the  siege,  as  there  is  no  likelihood  of  their  being  able  to 
get  possession  "  ;  so  he  purposed  to  take  post  on  arising  ground, 
three  miles  north-east  of  Tirumboor,  where  he  would  cover 
Marrawar  and  Nallacottahman's  countries,  and  keep  open  com- 
munications with  Trichinopoly  by  Nattam  Road  and  Tondi." 
Preston  proposed  that  "  the  army  should  be  cantoned  at 
Tirumboor,  Trivadare,  Omastrum,  Nattum,  and  Towarancuritchy. 
Heavy  artillery  to  be  taken  beyond  Nattum,  and  hospitals 
removed  to  Trichinopoly."  Want  of  success  owing  partly  to 
insufficient  supply  of  military  stores,  and  partly  to  very  bad 
weather. 


80  MILITAET    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1763. 

On  3rd  November,  Monson  reconnoitred  the  ditch  (it  was 
unfordable,  and  twenty-eight  yards  broad)  before  the  great  work 
on  left  of  attack.  "  It  was  clearly  too  formidable  to  think  of 
filling  it  up  at  this  season." 

He  thereupon  entered  into  a  correspondence  with  Usoff  Cawn, 
but  iinding  he  meant  nothing  by  his  letters,  broke  off  the 
correspondence,  and  from  the  5th  began  to  take  measures  for 
raising  the  siege.  The  pass  of  Nattum  had  to  be  secured,  while 
a  part  of  the  army  took  possession  of  the  rebels'  country  before 
the  harvest  was  gathered.  Military  stores  and  guns  were  to  be 
collected  at  Towarancuritchy  and  Nattum,  and  when  everything 
was  properly  prepared,  the  fort  was  to  be  reinvested.  Our  losses 
in  this  unsuccessful  attack  were  somewhat  heavy.  On  24th 
October  alone  eighty-four  wounded  sepoys  arrived  at  Trichi- 
nopoly.     It  was  now  settled  that  what  was  required  was — 

Four  24-pounders, 
Four  18-pounders, 
One   12-pounder, 

in  addition  to  previous  armament ;  and  shot  for  twenty  days' 
firing,  at  ninety  rounds  a  day  for  twelve  guns. 

On  18th  November  1763,  Colonel  Monson  set  out  for 
Trichinopoly,  leaviug  Major  Preston  at  Tirumboor  in  command 
of  the  army. 

The  intentions  of  the  latter  were  to  march  shortly  to  the  south, 
to  deprive  the  rebel  of  any  advantage  he  might  derive  from  the 
country.  On  the  25th,  accordingly,  he  made  up  his  mind  to 
march  back  to  within  sight  of  Madura  ;  but  the  men  of  the 
96th  Regiment  refused  to  march.  The  officers  of  the  regiment 
•  did  all  they  could  to  assist  Major  Preston  by  influencing  their 
men,  but  without  avail.  The  result  of  this  was  that  the 
President  and  Council  of  Madras  resolved  to  receive  non-com- 
missioned officers  and  men  of  Her  Majesty's  regiments  and 
artillery  into  the  service  of  the  Company  for  periods  of  one,  two, 


1763-64.]  MADEAS   ENGINEERS.  81 

three,  four,  and  five  years,  giving  a  bounty  of  five  pagodas  (17^ 
rupees)  for  each  year,  and  they  further  proposed  to  withdraw 
all  His  Majesty's  troops,  and  reinforce  the  army  with  the  troops 
of  the  Company. 

Owing  to  the  refusal  of  the  men  of  the  96th  Eegiment  to 
march,  Preston  was  compelled  to  remain  at  Tirumboor  through- 
out the  month  of  December.  This  inaction  was  not  altogether 
unfortunate,  as  during  December  the  rains  were  very  heavy, 
and  it  is  probable  the  loss  of  men  by  disease  would  have  been 
great. 

UsofF  Cawn,  during  this  time,  received  a  reinforcement  of  200 
men  from  Dindigul ;  but  the  Poligars  (chiefs)  of  the  country 
generally  were  in  our  interest.  At  last  Preston  was  enabled  to 
move,  and  on  29th  December  1763  marched  to  Audacotavum 
(about  one  mile  from  Teppacolum). 

The  enemy  showed  themselves  at  Teppacolum,  but  not  long 
enough  to  receive  any  harm  from  us. 

During  the  time  we  remained  inactive,  Usofi"  Cawn  wrote, 
representing  his  concern  for  his  past  behaviour,  promising 
obedience,  and  asked  to  be  permitted  to  rent  Madura  and 
Tinnevelly  for  seven  lacs.  The  Governor  replied  that  the  only 
means  UsofT  Cawn  had  for  securing  his  life  and  effects,  was  to 
surrender  all  the  places  in  his  possession,  and  rely  entirely  on 
the  mercy  of  the  Governor  and  Council. 

The  position  taken  up  by  Preston  had  a  fine  command  of 
the  different  roads  from  Madura  to  all  our  other  posts.  As 
soon  as  his  position  was  strengthened,  Preston  proposed  to 
move  six  miles  to  the  south,  and  establish  a  strong  fort  at  a 
remarkably  high  rock,  with  a  mosque  on  it,  on  the  high  road  to 
Tinnevelly.     This  was  called  Secundra  Mullai. 

Usoff  Cawn  was  in  no  way  idle.  By  the  15th  January  176i 
the  east  face  of  Madura  was  entirely  repaired,  and  above 
3,000  workmen  were  constantly  employed  on  other  parts  of  the 
fort. 

6 


82  MILITARY   HISTOEY   OF   THE  [1764. 

Major  Charles  Campbell  (as  senior  officer)  now  applied  for 
command  of  the  army.  The  Council  considered  that  his 
appointment  was  unavoidable  ;  but  they  regretted  the  necessity, 
as  they  were  so  well  pleased  with  Preston.  Accordingly,  on 
26th  January  1764,  Campbell  was  appointed  to  command  the 
army,  but  Preston  did  not  deliver  it  over  till  13th  February. 
Preston  learning  that  Usoff  Cawn  was  receiving  reinforcements 
from  Mysore,  moved  the  army  to  the  west  of  Madura,  so  as  to 
cut  off  communications  between  Madura  and  Dindigul. 

The  day  after  Campbell  assumed  command,  Major  Call,  chief 
engineer,  arrived  in  camp,  on  the  south  bank  of  the  river,  north- 
west of  Madura.  A  new  post  was  made  out  of  a  ruined  pagoda 
on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  opposite  the  camp.  We  now  had 
four  posts  besides  the  camp,  and  it  was  proposed  to  form  two 
more.  Usoff  Cawn  had  several  posts  out  of  the  fort,  at 
distances  of  500  to  800  yards,  and  by  means  of  them  kept  us  at 
a  distance.  Preston,  at  this  time,  was  commanding  at  Secundra 
Mullai.  Call  reported  that  no  gabions,  fascines,  or  pickets,  had 
been  made,  and  that  he  required  more  carpenters,  smiths,  and 
fascine  makers.  He  further  stated  that  "  Usoff  Cawn  had  2,000 
men  at  work,  and  expressed  his  astonishment  how  he  got  the 
people  to  stay,  or  found  money  to  pay  them,"  and  finally 
remarked  that  "  we  should  want  all  the  troops  we  could  assemble, 
although  we  had  the  whole  of  the  Manilla  garrison."  We  had 
400  Europeans  and  1,200  sepoys,  whereas  it  was  considered  that 
we  must  have  800  Europeans.  Usoff  Cawn  had  made  great 
additions  to  the  fort,  and  had  got  out-posts  on  three  sides.  It 
was  necessary  that  we  should  take  all  these,  as  well  as  all  forts 
within  fifty  miles  of  Madura.  More  sepoys,  and  more  cavalry 
were  required,  to  enable  us  to  cut  off  all  communication  for  ten 
miles  round. 

Call  hoped  to  hear  daily  of  the  troops  from  Manilla  or  from 
Bengal. 

Monsieur     Marchaud     (who     commanded     the     French     in 


1764.]  MADEAS   ENGINEEES.  83 

Madura)  protested  against  the  attack  of  the  place.  The  result 
of  the  protest  was  that  Campbell  was  directed  by  the  Council 
to  endeavour  to  seize  Marchaud,  if  he  was  the  same  man 
taken  by  Kichard  Smith,  near  Devicottah,  in  March  1760 
who  was  permitted  to  go  on  parole,  and  had  never  been 
exchanged. 

In  February,  Preston  received  an  anonymous  letter,  apparently 
from  the  officer  commanding  French  Hussars,  offering  to  desert 
for  15,000  pagodas.  He  proposed  to  effect  this  by  feigning  a 
a  sally.  Preston  offered  8,000  pagodas.  As  no  dependence 
could  be  placed  on  the  promise,  Campbell  posted  200  Grena- 
diers and  150  rank  and  file.  All  the  European  cavalry, 
1,700  sepoys,  and  six  field-pieces,  with  800  horse,  were  to  lie 
concealed,  Campbell  himself  being  near  at  hand  with  the  rest  of 
the  army. 

On  the  20th,  three  officers  and  forty-one  hussars  came  out  to 
us,  as  proposed.  Fourteen  of  the  best  men  were  taken  into  our 
service,  and  the  remainder  sent  away.  Mons.  Riquet  was  the 
commanding  officer.  He  was  paid  1,500  pagodas  in  cash,  2,500 
by  a  bill  on  Mr.  Floyer,  and  4,000  by  a  bill  on  the  Honourable 
Board  at  Madras.  Two  days  after  this  the  enemy  abandoned 
the  advanced  redoubt  on  the  south  face  of  the  fort;  we  took 
possession,  and  encamped  the  army  on  the  same  face. 

Preston  now  took  charge  of  the  Teppacolum,  and  on  the  2nd 
March  the  rebels  were  completely  invested.  Each  of  our  posts 
was  within  gun-shot  range  of  those  on  either  side. 

The  Black  Horse  of  the  enemy,  which  up  to  this  time  had 
been  encamped  on  the  glacis,  was  cannonaded  and  forced  to  enter 
the  fort.  About  this  time.  Major  Call  had  a  fall  from  his  horse, 
and  broke  his  arm,  but  in  spite  of  this  he  remained  in  camp, 
surrounded  by  his  work-people,  employed  in  making  fascines, 
gabions,  &c. 

A  fort,  Putta  Kotta,  about  fifteen  miles  south  of  Madura,  was 
captured  at  this  time. 

6   * 


84 


MILITARY   HISTORY   OF   THE 


[1764. 


The  following  were  the  different  forts  and  posts  depending  on 
the  army  : — 


Captains. 


Nuttum 

Sattrum  and  Walshy 
nattum        

Trivadore        

Trivambore     

Tondy     

Tondy  Redoubt 

Fort  Defiance 

Nattum  Redoubt 

Exegon 

Damoodra  Pillay  Re 
doubt 

Tumanly  Redoubt .. 

Nemellie 

Putta  Kotta,  1 5  miles 
on  Tinnevelly  Road 

Sholavandan,  12  miles 
on  Dindigul  Road 

Total  ... 


1         — 


Subal- 
terns. 

Guns. 

Companies 
of  Sepoys. 

Euro- 
peans 

I 

2 

6 

— 

2 

2 

5 

— 

— 

2 

3 

— 

1 

3 

4 
2 

7 

— 

— 

5 

— 

1 

5 

3 

29 

1 

2 

4 

22 

1 

2 

2 

22 

— 

1 

5 

12 

1 

2 

3 

— 

1 

I 

4 

— 

1 


10 


27 


55 


85 


Twenty  of  the  companies  of  sepoys  belonged  to  the  Nabob. 

In  addition  to  the  above  it  was  proposed  to  erect  two  other 
redoubts — one  to  the  left  of  the  Teppacolum,  and  the  other  in 
front.     This  was  the  state  of  affairs  on  the  4th  March  17C4. 

Captain  Hart  now  took  Chinampettah  by  storm,  our  loss  being 
Ensign  Carty  killed,  and  fifteen  wounded  ;  300  of  the  enemy 
■were  killed  and  wounded. 

Another  detachment  was  on  the  march  to  attack  a  mud  fort 
south-west  of  Madura. 

On  15th  March  we  caught  a  hircarrah,  who  had  been  in  Usoff 
Cawn's  employ  for  seven  years.  He  said  he  would  tell  us  all 
about  Madura. 


1764.]  MADEAS   ENGINEERS.  85 

On  the  16th,  Preston  marched  towards  Palamcottah.  Camp- 
bell expected  him  to  he  absent  twenty  days,  and  that  on  his 
return  they  would  be  in  a  position  to  break  ground.  Since  the 
beginning  of  March  the  army  had  been  without  arrack,  and  the 
sick  list  was  100  more  than  during  February.  This  increase  of 
sickness  was  attributed  solely  to  the  want  of  arrack. 

At  this  period,  several  lieutenants  misbehaved  themselves. 
They  were  aggrieved  at  some  promotions  which  had  been  made, 
and  asked  leave  to  go  to  Madras.  They  were  permitted  to  go, 
although  their  conduct  was  characterised  by  Campbell  as  un- 
reasonable and  unmilitary.  The  result  was  that  they  were  dis- 
missed the  service.  Their  names  were  Hunterman,  Ward,  and 
Philips. 

On  the  27th  Captain  Fitzgerald,  with  his  troop  and  120  Tan- 
jore  Horse,  while  observing  the  enemy  on  the  Teppacolum  side, 
near  Fort  Defiance,  was  charged  by  "  Cawn  Sahib's  "  horse,  but 
repulsed  them  with  great  loss.  Our  loss  was  five  troopers,  and 
ten  "  blacks,"  and  thirteen  horses  killed  and  wounded.  The 
enemy's  horse  would  have  been  cut  to  pieces  had  they  not 
galloped  under  the  guns  of  the  fort. 

Preston  meanwhile  had  taken  Soondavandy,  after  he  had 
nearly  breached  one  of  its  towers. 

He  reported  that  the  garrison  of  Shevalapoothoor  had  taken 
refuge  in  the  Poligar  country  of  Stractoor,  eighteen  miles  south 
of  Shevalapoothoor. 

On  5th  April,  Preston  was  at  Gaingoondain,  and  reported  a 
skirmish  between  cavalry  near  Palamcottah.  He  was  now 
ordered  to  return  to  Madura  by  20 th  April,  but  to  leave  a 
detachment  before  Palamcottah.  This  Preston  did,  establishing 
a  strong  post  2,000  yards  from  that  place.  Soon  after  Preston's 
arrival  Campbell  attacked  one  of  the  enemy's  redoubts,  carried 
it,  killed  fifteen  sepoys  and  two  gunners,  and  wounded  many. 
Our  troops  also  brought  off  a  lieutenant  of  artillery  prisoner. 
The  redoubt  had  to  be  abandoned,  as  it  was  too  near  the  fort 


86  MILITARY   HISTOEY   OP   THE  [1764. 

to  admit  of  occupation.     Our  loss  was  trifling.     Bad  weather 
and  rain  prevented  any  further  attack  for  some  days. 

On  29th  April,  at  7  a.m.,  we  opened  with  five  batteries  on 
five  redoubts ;  and  at  noon  Preston  on  one  side,  and  Campbell  on 
the  other,  carried  them  with  a  loss  of  twenty  Europeans  and 
many  sepoys  on  our  side.  We  took  five  guns  and  ten  Europeans; 
while  Captain  Kirkpatrick,  with  his  troop  of  Hussars  and  Black 
Horse,  cut  up  numbers  of  the  enemy,  and  pursued  them  to  the 
gates  of  the  fort.  Our  troops  behaved  well,  while  the  enemy, 
although  they  fought  under  round  and  grape  shot  of  the  fort, 
showed  but  little  resolution. 

We  lost    7  Europeans  killed 

17  ,,  wounded,  and 

30  sepoys  killed  and  wounded,  besides  7  horses. 

Total     54 

Enemy  lost  400  sepoys,  18  Europeans,  20  topasses,  killed 
and  wounded,  and  we  took  16  Europeans  and  topasses  prisoners. 

At  this  time  it  was  reported  that  the  force  in  Madura  con- 
sisted of  150  Europeans,  and  4,000  natives.  The  siege  of 
Madura  was  now  undertaken  in  earnest.  On  10th  June  we 
were  ready  to  open  on  the  fort  with  nearly  forty  pieces  of 
cannon  and  mortars. 

On  the  14th,  the  enemy  made  a  vigorous  sally  and  upset  a  few 
empty  gabions,  but  were  repulsed  with  a  loss  of  fifty.  We  lost 
Captain  Smith  and  Lieutenant  Maitland,  and  four  Europeans 
killed,  and  ten  wounded.  On  the  16th,  we  lost  Lieutenant 
Whithear  and  two  Europeans  killed,  and  five  wounded.  By  the 
15th,  the  batteries  on  the  crest  of  the  glacis  were  nearly 
finished,  and  on  the  20th  the  mines  for  blowing  in  the  counter- 
scarp of  the  ditch  were  sprung. 

The  batteries  for  breaching  the  fausse  brave  were  also 
ready.  The  batteries  had  the  desired  eflFect,  and  it  was  expected 
that  the  place  would  be  stormed  on  the  22nd. 


1764.]  MADEAS   ENGINEEES.  87 

On  the  20Lb,  Mr.  Hamilton  of  the  Engineers  was  killed,  and 
Ensign  Bowman  wounded.  Owing  to  some  intelligence  received 
from  the  fort  through  deserters,  it  was  thought  prudent  to  defer 
attack  till  the  23rd.  Our  loss  from  the  22nd  to  the  24th 
inclusive,  was  eight  Europeans  killed,  and  two  officers  and 
thirteen  wounded. 

Major  Campbell  considered  that  the  place  ought  to  he  stormed 
at  once.  "  There  were  six  practicable  breaches  in  the  fausse 
braye,  good  passages  in  the  ditch,  at  least  500  yards  of  rampart 
ruined,  and  the  storming  party  could  consist  of  800  Europeans 
and  3,000  or  4,000  sepoys." 

Call  considered  "  the  walls  of  Madura  were  now  assaultable ; 
but  thought  assault  should  not  take  place  at  night  as  a  mis- 
carriage was  possible,  and  would  be  most  fatal.  A  lodgment 
should  be  made  on  the  north-west  bastion,  and  a  passage,  covered 
on  the  right  against  the  flank  of  the  west  gate,  should  be  made 
across  the  ditch."  Preston  and  Wood  (Brevet-Major)  agreed  with 
Call. 

Campbell  thought  "  assault  might  be  immediately  made  with 
success,  but  deferred  to  opinion  of  the  others.'' 

On  the  23rd,  we  failed  in  making  an  epaulement  across  the 
ditch  to  the  breach  in  the  fausse  braye.  Opinion  then  became 
unanimous,  that  the  guns  should  play  briskly  on  the  24th  and 
25th ;  also  at  night  on  the  west  angle,  two  curtains  and  towers 
adjacent ;  and  that  an  assault  should  be  made  on  the  2Gth  morning. 
Meantime,  passage  of  ditch  was  again  to  be  attempted,  and  a 
trench,  by  way  of  deception,  was  to  be  pushed  nearer  the  north- 
west gateway. 

Accordingly  early  in  the  morning,  the  assault  was  made.  We 
were  repulsed  with  great  loss.  The  mud  in  the  ditch  was  so 
soft,  that  the  troops  had  their  arms,  and  most  of  their  ammuni- 
tion rendered  useless,  but  they  still  went  on.  Preston  was 
gallantly  leading  on  the  right,  when  he  was  struck  down  badly 
wounded.     The  troops,  however,  got  up  to  the  top  of  the  tower 


88  MILITAEY   HISTORY   OF   THE  11764. 

in  several  places  ;  but  the  enemy  had  under  cover  so  many  men 
with  long  pikes,  and  threw  such  quantities  of  large  stones,  hand 
grenades,  and  shells  down  the  breach,  that  it  was  found 
impossible  (in  spite  of  great  gallantry)  to  gain  the  tops  of  any 
of  the  breaches,  we  were,  therefore,  forced  to  draw  off  our 
troops. 

Our  loss  was  very  heavy.  Captain  Bullock,  and  Ensign 
Vashan  killed;  and  Major  Preston,  Coptains  Kirkpatrick  and 
Fitzgerald,  and  Lieutenants  Wear,  Owen,  McDonald,  and  Bruce, 
wounded. 

One  hundred  and  twenty  Europeans  killed  and  wounded,  and 
fifty  sepoys,  besides  many  others  bruised  with  stones. 

A  second  assault  was  proposed  at  once  by  Campbell,  Call, 
and  Wood ;  but  the  heavy  rain  (country  flooded),  and  a  great 
deal  of  ammunition  spoilt,  prevented  this  being  carried  out.  It 
was  now  considered  desirable  not  to  assault  Madura,  but  merely 
to  blockade  it  very  closely. 

On  1 2th  July  the  pioneers  who  had  arrived  from  Manilla 
came  to  camp,  and  were  busily  engaged  in  making  redoubts  and 
a  deep  ditch  all  round  the  fort.  The  following  were  the 
engineers  at  the  siege  : — 

John  Call,  Major. 

Abram  Bonjour, Director,  Captain  (belonging  to  battalion). 

Edward  Cotsford,  Captain. 

John  Adams,  Sub-Lieutenant. 

John  McLean,  Sub-Lieutenant. 

William  Stevens,  Practitioner-Engineer,  and  Ensign. 

Charles  Delavaux,  Practitioner-Engineer,  and  Ensign. 

Hamilton,  Practitioner,  Engineer,  and  Ensign  (lulled  on 

20th  June). 
William   Toplady    and    W.    Delafield,    Extra    Ensigns 

(belonging  to  battalion). 

On  19th  July,  Verdagerry,  which  commanded  several  passes 
into  Travancore,  surrendered  to   Lieutenant  Robert  Kelly. 


1764.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  89 

The  blockade  of  Madura  was  strictly  enforced,  and  by 
the  5th  August  the  garrison  was  getting  straitened  for  supplies, 
and  their  horses  were  dying,  while  our  people  were  engaged  in 
building  "pandals"  (huts  are  doubtless  meant)  for  our  army. 
The  garrison  were  under  these  circumstances  naturally  extremely 
unhappy,  especially  as  they  had  to  eat  their  horses.  UsofF  Cawn 
became  very  melancholy,  but  still  determined  to  hold  out. 

On  loth  September  Mr.  Marchaud  wished  to  have  an  inter- 
view with  Majors  Campbell  and  Call.  He  offered  to  deliver  up 
Madura  and  Palamcottah,  on  condition  that  we  should  allow  Usoff 
Cawn,  with  troops  and  some  pieces  of  artillery,  to  retire  to 
Dindigul.  There  terms  were,  of  course,  refused,  and  he  was 
told  that  nothing  but  surrender  at  discretion  would  be  of  avail. 
Marchaud  then  asked  if  Usoff  Cawn  and  a  few  of  his  troops 
would  be  allowed  to  pass.  This  was  again  answered  in  the 
negative. 

Cotsford,  of  Engineers,  was  compelled  by  ill-health  to  leave 
about  end  of  August 

On  l7th  September  a  letter  was  received  from  Usoff  Cawn 
himself,  asking  to  be  allowed  to  pass.  The  terms  were  again 
rejected,  and  hostilities  recommenced — fire  being  opened  from 
our  batteries.  The  blockade  still  continued  very  close  till  J  3th 
October;  on  that  date,  about  11  p.m.,  Mons  Perigny  (formerly 
engineer  at  St.  David's)  came  out  with  a  flag  of  truce,  and  a  note 
from  Mr.  Marchaud,  to  say  that  he  had  made  Usoff  Cawn  a 
prisoner,  and  offered  to  deliver  up  the  fort.  jMadura  was 
accordingly  taken  possession  of  at  6  p.m.  on  14th  October. 
Usoff  Cawn  and  his  family  were  taken  prisoners,  and  the  next 
day  Usoff  Cawn  was  hanged.  Although,  being  a  rebel,  he  had 
rendered  himself  liable  to  this  fate,  still,  considering  the  gallantry 
displayed  by  him,  his  life  might  well  have  been  spared.  The 
incident  was,  it  is  thought,  by  no  means  creditable  to  us. 

On  the  18th,  Campbell  and  Call  set  out  for  Palamcottah, 
leaving  Wood  to  command  the  army. 


90  MILITAEY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1764-65. 

They  arrived  at  Palamcottah  on  22nd  October,  and  sent  a 
summons.  The  Commandant  immediately  offered  to  give  up  the 
fort,  and  the  next  day  it  was  taken  possession  of  in  good  order. 
Call  settled  with  the  King  of  Travancore,  who  claimed  certain 
parts  of  the  country  ;  but  as  he  had  given  no  assistance  he  got 
very  little  satisfaction. 

Campbell  and  Call  returned  to  Madura,  and  the  campaign 
came  to  a  close. 

When  the  expedition  left  for  Manilla  in  1762,  Major  Call  was 
the  only  engineer  left  in  Madras.  About  this  time  John  Adams 
and  John  McLean  were  appointed,  and  in  1763,  William 
Stevens,  Paul  Benfield,  Charles  Delavaux,  and  Hamilton  were 
appointed  to  the  Engineers ;  so  that  after  the  return  of  the 
troops  from  Manilla,  and  the  capture  of  Madura,  the  corps 
consisted  of  the  following : — 

Majjor  Call. 
Capt.  Stevenson. 
Capt.   Cotsford. 

Barnard. 

Adams,  about  1762. 

McLean,  appointed  March  1762. 

Stevens,  appointed  January  1764. 

Benfield,  appointed  January  1  764. 

Delavaux,  appointed  January  1764. 

Hamilton  having  been  killed  at  siege  of  Madura. 

Early  in  1765  it  was  resolved  to  survey  the  passage  between 
Ceylon  and  the  mainland,  and  Mr.  Stevens,  one  of  the  assistant 
engineers,  was  deputed  for  the  work.  About  the  same  time  Mr. 
Delavaux,  assistant  engineer,  was  ordered  to  fortify  the  palace, 
&c.,  at  Arialore — a  place  about  twenty-five  miles  north  of 
Tanjore. 

The  object  of  surveying  the  passage  between  Ceylon,  and  the 
mainland  was  to  enable  troops  to  pass  by  a  shorter  cut  than 
going  round  Ceylon. 


1765.] 


MADEAS   ENGINEEES.  91 


The  instructions  given  to  Mr.  Stevens  are  somewhat  curious. 

"You  must  be  careful  not  to  give  offence  to  anyone  at 
Ramisseram,  and  be  guarded  not  to  give  cause  of  complaint  to 
the  Dutch,  Should  they  want  to  know  your  business,  state  that 
you  are  examining  the  Nabob's  country,  and  you  will  be  furnished 
with  passports  to  that  effect." 

Mr.  Delavaux,  after  completing  his  work  at  Arialore,  left 
Woodiarpolliem,  on  the  20th  April  1765,  to  join  Colonel  Camp- 
bell's army,  and  reached  it  on  2nd  May.  Mr.  Stevens  sent  in 
his  report  regarding  the  channel  on  22nd  February.  He  was 
of  opinion  that  no  vessel  above  twenty  tons  could  pass  through 
the  channel.  None  of  the  channels  ever  had  more  than  four 
feet  of  water  at  the  highest  floods. 

Colonel  Campbell  was  apparently  about  to  attack  Ongole,  and 
on  24:th  May  an  account  of  the  fortifications  was  sent  to  him. 

In  June,  Major  Call  had  to  examine  the  several  Poligar  works 
that  were  to  be  destroyed,  and  having  done  so,  directed  Mr. 
Stevens  to  destroy  all  barriers,  &c. 

Mr.  Pybus,  the  resident  at  Masulipatam,  reports  on  labour 
and  material  for  fortifying  Masulipatam,  and  notes  that  the 
rates  for  coolies  are  : — 

A.  p. 

Men  ...  ...         5  dubs  =  ]  8 

Women      ...  ...         3  dubs  ==  1  0 

Boys  ...  ...         4  dubs  =  1  4 

48  dubs  =  1  rupee. 

^Major  Call  was  in  June  called  upon  to  proceed  to  Masulipatam 
and  report  fully  regarding  the  better  fortifying  of  the  place.* 

All  this  time  Mr.  McLean  appears  to  have  remained  as 
engineer  at  Madura.  On  the  21st  August  1765,  we  learn  that 
Captain  William  Stevenson,  who  was  commanding  engineer  on 
expedition   to  Manilla,  died,  and  this  occasioning  a  vacancy  of 

*  On  loth  July,  James  Call  waB  appointed  an  engineer. 


92  MILITAEY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1765-66. 

engineer  in  ordinary,  Mr.  McLean  was  appointed  in  his  place 
with  the  rank  of  Captain-Lieutenant,  for  which  he  is  to  receive 
twenty-four  pagodas  per  month  suhsistence." 

Mr.  Stevens,  in  August,  is  directed  to  destroy  the  Poligar 
strongholds  around  Trivalore;  and  in  September  Major  John 
Call  is  finally  ordered  to  Masulipatam  with  reference  to  the 
fortifications. 

Next  month  the  Madras  Government  received  a  letter  from 
Fort  William,  which  stated  that  for  some  time  the  river  had 
very  dangerously  encroached  on  the  new  fort,  which  induced  the 
authorities  there  to  ask  for  Major  Call's  services,  as  they  enter- 
tained a  high  opinion  of  his  abilities.  Major  Call  reported  on 
Masulipatam,  but  did  not  receive  the  letter  ordering  him  to 
Calcutta  till  the  day  after  he  left  Masulipatam  on  his  return, 
and  not  seeing  any  prospect  at  that  time  of  obtaining  a  sea 
conveyance  he  proposed  to  go  in  January,  returning  to  Madras 
in  April. 

Early  in  1766  the  Madras  Government  would  appear  to 
have  had  great  fear  of  Hyder  Ali,  who  had  taken  in  hand 
Mauphuz  Khan,  the  brother  of  Mahomed  Ali,  the  Nabob  of  the 
Carnatic. 

Major  Bonjour,  on  3rd  February  1766,  was  ordered  to  make 
a  survey  of  the  passes  of  Sautgadda,  Damalcherry,  Vencata- 
gerry,  Rampoor,  Chingajedevy,  Ryacotta,  Cauverypatam,  Hooly 
Durg,  Cauverypoor,  Suttamungalum,  and  nine  others." 

He  proposed  "  to  close  those  which  are  not  essential  for 
communication,  and  to  make  the  rest  redoubts  and  forts  pro- 
vided with  all  sorts  of  magazines."  He  considered  "  Rampoor 
important,  being  about  size  of  Arcot ;  but  of  all  the  passes  those 
of  Damalcherry  require  the  most  attention,  not  only  as  being 
dangerous  by  their  extensive  roads,  but  by  their  situation."  "  An 
enemy  might  be  in  centre  of  the  province  before  we  would  be 
aware  of  their  designs." 

Captain  Lieutenant  John  McLean  was  engaged  at  Madura  on 


176G-67.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  93 

tlie  repairs  of  the  works,  and  building  new  barracks  for  the 
troops  up  to  the  month  of  August  or  September,  and  then  pro- 
ceeded to  Madras. 

Before  the  close  of  the  year  he  asked  the  Board  to  give  him 
his  rank  on  the  military  establishment,  and  on  30th  December 
they  agreed  to  give  him  a  brevet  of  Captain,  and  ordered  him  to 
proceed  with  the  army  as  engineer. 

On  12th  November  176R,  General  Caillaud  concluded  a  treaty 
with  Nizam  Ali,  by  which  we  were  to  have  the  Northern  Circars 
(except  Guntoor,  which  we  were  not  to  possess  till  the  death  of 
Basalut  Jung).  "It  was  also  agreed  that  an  English  auxiliary 
force  should  be  at  the  disposal  of  Nizam  Ali,"  to  settle  the 
affairs  of  his  government  in  everything  that  is  right  and  proper ; 
"  and  as  he  was  at  that  time  concerting  with  the  Mahrattas  a 
a  plan  for  the  conquest  or  plunder  of  Mysore,  it  was  distinctly 
understood  that  this  was  to  be  the  first  service  on  which  the 
auxiliary  troops  were  to  be  employed." 

Colonel  Joseph  Smith  arrived  in  India  in  September  1766, 
and  was  selected  to  proceed  to  Hydrabad  for  the  purpose  of 
concerting  the  details  of  this  co-operation,  and  commanding  the 
troops. 

Early  in  1767  Lieutenant- Colonel  Wood  was  in  command  of 
the  English  army  in  the  Carnatic,  and  in  February  he  instructed 
Captain  McLean  of  Engineers  to  reconnoitre  the  passes  with 
two  companies  of  sepoys,  lascars,  &c.  Not  content,  however, 
with  this,  the  Board  directed  Major  Call  to  go  to  Cuddapah- 
nuttam  to  examine  all  the  passes  that  may  be  useful  for  the 
expedition  against  Hyder. 

He  was  also  to  communicate  with  "  Mahade  Row  "*  if  pos- 
sible. Mahade  Row  had,  however,  not  the  slightest  intention  of 
assisting  the  Nizam  and  the  English,  against  Hyder.  The 
Peishwa  was  first  in  the  field,  and  having  taken  Sera,  Hyder 

*  The  Peishwa. 


94  MILITAEY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1767. 

purchased  his  retreat  for  thirty-five  lacs  of  rupees  in  the  month 
of  March.  The  Peishwa  was  now  encamped  near  Colar,  and 
Lieutenant- Colonel  Tod  and  another  person,  on  behalf  of  the 
Nizam.,  were  sent  to  the  Peishwa  to  prevail  on  him  to  persevere 
in  the  war.  They  were  received  in  the  Mahratta  camp  with 
ridicule,  and  got  no  satisfaction  whatever. 

The  Mahrattas  moved  north  on  the  11th  May.  Meantime 
Major  Call  was  inspecting  the  forts  and  passes  at  Palmanair, 
Cuddapahnattum,  Vaniambaddy,  and  Amboor.  He  recommended 
the  occupation  of  all  the  passes,  and  the  Board  ordered  him  to 
remain  and  instruct  Major  Bonjour,  who  was  in  command  of  a 
detachment  of  the  army,  how  he  was  to  act.  They  also  sent 
Sergeant  Hawkins  with  the  lascars,  and  a  lieutenant  fireworker's 
commission  for  Sergeant  McHuge. 

Major  Bonjour  took  Vaniambaddy  at  the  end  of  April. 

Major  Call  appears  to  have  exerted  himself  greatly  at  this 
juncture,  and  received  the  thanks  of  the  Board. 

In  the  month  of  May  Major  Call  informs  "  that  Major 
Bonjour  will  be  unable  to  take  Gejadary  and  Kistnagerry,  the 
former  being  very  difficult  of  access,  while  the  latter  is  well 
garrisoned." 

At  this  time  the  engineers  appear  to  have  consisted  of  the 
following  : — 

Major  Call,  chief  engineer. 
Captain  Cotsford, 
Captain  McLean, 
Lieutenant  Stevens, 
Lieutenant  Paul  Benfield, 
Ensign  Thomas  Barnard,  and 
Ensign  McLeod. 

Adams,  Delavaux,  and  James  Call  appear  to  have  died 
between  1765  and  1767.  Of  these  only  four  appear  to  have 
been  engaged  on  active  service  in  the  Carnatic   in  1767,  viz. 


1767.)  MADRAS   ENGINEEES.  95 

Major  Call,  Captain  McLean,  and  Messieurs  Barnard  and 
McLeod.  Captain  Cotsford  and  Lieutenant  Stevens  were 
engaged  in  the  Northern  Circars,  and  Lieutenant  Benfield  was 
at  Cuddalore. 

The  Nizam,  on  J  1th  May,  moved  towards  Bangalore,  and  the 
English,  under  Colonel  Joseph  Smith,  marched  to  join  him,  but 
found  the  Nizam's  troops  departing  to  a  distance  of  twelve  miles, 
and  Smith  discovered  that  the  Nizam  was  in  correspondence 
with  Hyder  ;  so  in  spite  of  the  Nizam's  protestations,  Colonel 
Smith  moved  towards  his  frontier,  but  left  three  battalions  with 
field-pieces  at  the  Nizam's  request.  This  brigade  remained  with 
the  Nizam  for  some  little  time,  but  was  at  length  allowed  to 
depart,  leaving  five  companies.  Finally  these  companies  also, 
were  allowed  to  go,  three  days  before  Nizam  Ali  commenced 
hostilities  against  us. 

Meantime,  the  English  moved  a  force  into  the  Baramahl,  from 
Madras,  and  on  25th  May  Major  Call  reported  the  arrival  of  this 
force  at  Cuddapahnuttam. 

On  1st  June,  Major  Bonjour  retreated  from  Gegadavy  to 
Tripatore,but  on  receiving  reinforcements,  attacked  Kistnagherry, 
and  McLean  was  sent  to  assist  him. 

Major  Call  was  now  re-called  to  settle  with  the  Nabob 
regarding  the  Madura  country,  and  sent  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Tod  to  join  Major  Bonjour. 

An  attempt  was  made  on  the  3rd  June  to  capture  Kistnagherry 
by  surprise.  The  town  at  the  foot  of  the  fort  was  occupied 
without  any  serious  opposition  ;  a  petard  was  prepared  for 
forcing  gate  of  upper  fort,  but  the  men  who  carried  it,  as  well  as 
the  forlorn  hope,  being  all  killed  by  showers  of  rocks,  the 
party  retired  with  the  loss  of  nearly  the  whole  of  the  Granadier 
Company. 

Colonel  Smith  now  took  command  of  the  troops  in  the 
Baramahl.  Nizam  Ali  was  on  crest  of  hills  which  overlooked 
Baramahl,  and  Hyder  was  two  days  march  behind. 


96  MILITAEY   HISTORY   OF   THE  [1767. 


Forces. 
Nizam's 
Hycler 

Cavalry. 

30,000       . 
12,860       ., 

Infantry. 

..       10,000      . 
..       18,000      . 

Guns. 
...      60 
..      49 

42,860       ., 

..       28,000      . 

..    109 

English  Force : — 
Europeans  ... 
Natives 
Mahomed  Ali 

30       . 

1,000       ., 

800      . 
5,000      . 

..       16 

1,030       . 

5,800     . 

..     lis 

On  the  25th  August  the  enemy,  Ly  surprise,  took  a  number 
of  cattle,  &c.,  and  on  the  28th,  Hyder  took  Cauverypatam  on 
second  day  of  siege. 

On  the  28th  the  English  army  moved  towards  Singarapet. 
Colonel  Wood,  with  a  corps  of  British  troops,  had  been  ordered 
from  Trichinopolee  to  join  Smith,  by  making  for  Trinomallee. 
Hyder  took  up  a  position  at  Cauverypooram,  apparently  thinking 
that  Smith  would  be  rash  enough  to  attack  him.  Colonel  Smith 
reached  Singarepet  on  the  30th.  Hyder  followed,  and  harassed 
the  British  on  their  march  towards  the  pass  to  Changama. 

On  3rd  September,  Colonel  Smith  attempted  the  pass  of 
Changama ;  he  was  attacked,  but  defeated  Hyder  with  great 
loss. 

Colonel  Smith  was,  however,  compelled  from  want  of  pro- 
visions to  push  on  to  Trinomallee  after  a  short  halt,  which 
place  he  reached  on  the  4th,  the  troops  having  been  twenty- 
seven  hours  without  rest  or  food.  He  found  no  rice,  and  only  a 
little  "paddy." 

Colonel  Wood  joined  him  on  8th  September  without 
molestation.  Smith  had  to  go  out  in  quest  of  food,  but 
returned  on  the  14th.  He  now  determined  to  attack,  but  found 
the  enemy  very  secure,  from  the  interposition  of  a  swamp. 


1767.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  97 

On  the  16th  he  moved  east  for  food.  Owiug  to  these  diffi- 
culties he  called  a  Council  of  War,  who  agreed  unanimously  that 
Trinomally  must  he  evacuated,  the  wounded  and  stores  placed 
in  Chettipet,  two  marches  to  north-east,  and  that  llie  troops 
should  march  into  cantonments  at  Arcot  or  Vellore.  The 
Government  objected  to  this,  and  Colonel  Smith  manoeuvred 
about  Trinomally. 

Smith's  army  now  amounted  to  10.430  infantry,  &c.,  and  1,500 
very  indifferent  "  horse."  About  noon  on  26th  September,  the 
confederates  moved  a  column  to  Colonel  Smith's  left,  and 
commenced  a  distant  cannonade. 

A  morass  intervened,  and  beyond  the  morass  a  line  of 
redoubts. 

This  swamp  extended  from  a  long  way  beyond  Smith's  left,  to 
a  hill  beyond  his  right.  He  determined  to  move  round  this  hill 
to  the  right.  The  enemy  thought  he  was  retreating,  and  they 
determined  to  cut  him  off.  The  confederates  were  thus  march- 
ing from  south-west  and  the  English  from  south-east,  and  their 
advanced  guards  were  almost  in  contact  on  their  rounding  the 
hill.  The  confederates  tried  to  occupy  the  hill,  but  were 
repulsed  by  Captain  Cooke. 

The  enemy  formed,  Hyder  could  only  bring  tliirty  pieces 
into  battle.  The  English  line  cautiously  advanced  from  one 
strong  post  to  another,  and  rapidly  defeated  the  enemy.  Hyder 
drew  off  his  guns  in  the  redoubts,  and  asked  Nizam  Ali  to  do  the 
same;  but  he  refused.  The  British  advanced  in  line,  and  the 
guns  were  then  ordered  to  retreat,  covered  by  Hyder's  infantry. 
Night  closed  in  as  the  English  reached  the  last  ground  aban- 
doned by  the  enemy,  within  a  mile  of  the  redoubts;  having  taken 
nine  guns.  Nizam  Ali  fled  in  a  westerly  direction  through 
Chaugama  Pass,  and  left  his  commander-in-chief,  Raccum-ud- 
Dowla,  to  care  for  the  retreat ;  while  Hyder  provided  for  the 
safety  of  his  own  army.  During  the  night,  an  attempt  was 
made   on    the  enemy,    under  Major   Fitzgerald,    but   it   failed 

7 


98  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1767. 

through  swampy  nature  of  ground.  At  day-break  the  army 
was  in  motion,  and  soon  passed  the  redoubts,  which  had  been 
abandoned. 

They  found  the  road  covered  with  the  armies,  and  a  train  of 
artillery  wms  still  visible. 

In  the  course  of  the  day  forty-one  pieces  were  taken,  belonging 
to  Nizam,  and  fourteen  more  were  afterwards  discovered  in  the 
woods ;  total  taken,  sixty-four  guns. 

Loss  of  the  English  was  only  150  killed  and  wounded,  while 
the  loss  of  confederates  amounted  to  4,000,  and  a  large  quantity 
of  stores 

Tippoo,  who  was  plundering  near  Madras,  joined  his  father 
at  once;  and  Colonel  Smith,  having  put  his  army  under  cover, 
went  to  Madras  to  arrange  about  future  supplies.  English 
army  was  cantoned  at  Conjeverara,  Wandewash,  and  Trichi- 
nopoly. 

On  12th  October,  Mr.  Marsden,  a  third  lieutenant  in  the 
Marine  Service,  was  allowed  to  exchange  from  the  Navy  to  the 
Engineers,  being  appointed  practitioner  engineer  and  ensign  from 
12th  November. 

On  the  27th  of  the  same  month,  Mr.  Montresor  arrived  from 
England,  with  the  rank  of  sub-engineer  and  lieutenant,  and  was 
ordered  at  once  to  proceed  on  service. 

On  5th  November,  Hyder  captured  Tripatoor,  and  Vaniem- 
baddy  on  the  7th,  and  thence  moved  to  Amboor. 

Up  to  the  latter  part  of  October,  Captain  McLean,  engineer, 
was  in  charge  of  the  garrison  ;  but  as  his  services  were  urgently 
required  at  Vellore,  he  was  directed  on  the  arrival  of  Captain 
Cnlvert's  battalion  to  deliver  over  charge  to  tliat  officer. 

Hyder  arrived  before  Amboor  on  10th  November.  On  the 
1 5th,  the  lower  fort  was  dismantled,  and  Calvert  retired  to 
summit  of  the  hill  with  500  sepoys,  1  officer,  1  sergeant,  and  15 
Europeans. 

Finding  the   Killarlnr  in   correspondence  with   Hyder,  Calvert 


1767-68.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  99 

imprisoned  him,  and  protracted  the  defence  for  twenty-six  days 
He  was  relieved  on  the  6th  December  by  the  approach  of  the 
English  army. 

The  division  of  Colonel  Wood  was  ordered  to  move  from 
Trichinopoly  on  Trinomally,  and  thence  to  enter  the  Baramahl 
by  the  Changama  Pass  ;  and  Smith  pursued  Hyder,  finding  him 
at  Vaniembaddy  on  8th  December.  Hyder  retreated  to 
Tripatore,  and  thence  towards  Cauverypatam.  Colonel  Smith 
was  again  reinforced  by  Colonel  Wood.  He  now  reconnoitred 
Cauverypatam,  but  found  it  was  too  strong — having  been 
strengthened  by  redoubts  during  the  year. 

Hyder  sent  off  his  heavy  guns  on  the  14th,  and  on  the  1 8th 
the  Nizam,  with  the  main  body  of  his  army,  reascended  the 
Ghauts,  and  moved  north.  Hyder  employed  his  light  troops  on 
Colonel  Smith's  line  of  supplies,  and  attempted  in  person  to  cut 
off  a  convoy  under  Captain  Fitzgerald.  He  took  with  him  4,000 
horse,  2,000  infantry,  and  eight  guns;  but  Colonel  Smith  detached 
reinforcements,  and  Hyder  was  repulsed,  having  his  horse  shot 
under  him.  Hyder  then  ascended  the  Ghauts,  and  the  English 
had  again  to  move  in  opposite  directions  for  food. 

Colonel  Peach  meantime  (sent  from  Bengal),  had  landed  in 
the  northern  Circars,  and  had  penetrated  to  Cummumet  and 
Warungol,  and  alarmed  Nizam  Ali.  The  Nizam  opened  com- 
munications with  Colonel  Smith.  Hyder  discovered  this,  and, 
assuming  acquiescence,  they  parted — the  Nizam  going  to  the 
north.  Hyder  also  made  pacific  overtures,  but  being  referred  to 
Madras,  thought  that  his  advances  were  rejected.  Negotiations 
with  the  Nizam  terminated  on  23rd  February  1768  in  a  peace, 
and  a  very  ignominious  treaty. 

Hyder  now  found  the  Moplah  chiefs  were  rising  in  rebellion, 
so  by  the  20th  January  he  re-fitted  at  Bangalore,  and  then 
proceeded  by  long  marches  to  the  west  coast,  took  Mangalore, 
llonore,  and  Buswaing-droog,  which  had  previously  been  taken 
by  the  English  from  Bombay ;  he  then  went  to  Bednore,  hearing 

7  • 


100 


MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1768. 


of  discontent.  He  levied  heavy  fines,  and  by  promises  to  the 
Malabar  chiefs,  he  received  large  sums  of  money,  and  withdrew 
his  garrisons;  but  carefully  kept  Palghaut. 

Hyder  did  not  re-commence  his  operations  from  Bangalore 
before  August. 

On  25th  March  I76H,  field  deputies  were  appointed  to  attend 
the  army  with  the  Nabob.  They  were  Messrs.  Call  and  Mackey. 
Mr.  Holland  was  also  appointed  as  an  assistant.  A  month  after 
this,  we  find  the  field  deputies  were  at  Arcot. 

The  English  army  had  been  formed  into  two  divisions  ;  one 
under  Colonel  Smith  moved  north  as  far  as  Paliconda,  in  the 
valley  of  Vellore,  to  approach  the  Nizam's  army  at  Punganoor, 
to  hasten  the  negotiations,  and  then  returned  to  blockade 
Kistnagherry.  The  second,  under  Colonel  Wood,  reduced  forti- 
fied places  in  Baramahl,  Salem,  Erode,  and  Coimbatore.  Wood 
captured  fifteen  forts.  The  order  of  their  capture  was  as 
follows  : — 


Capitulated  February  1 768. 
Taken  by  assault. 

Surrendered 

Taken  by  assault. 


Tengricotta 
Darampoory 
Salem    ... 
Ahtoor 
Namcul 
Erode    ... 
Suttiamungalum 
Denaikencotta  ... 
Pass  of  Guzzlehutty 
do.     Cauverypoor 
Coimbatore 
Palghaut 
Darapooram 
Aravacoorchy   ... 
Dindigul 

On  the  2nd  May,  Kistnagherry  surrendered,  and  it  was  then 
published  to  the  army  that  two  Field  Deputies  were  to  be  sent  to 
aid  ( ! )  Colonel  Smith,  and  Mahonied  AH  ( ! ! )  was  to  accompany 


Surrendered. 


1736.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  101 

them  ;  and  "  one  of  the  deputies  was  appointed  Commissary- 
General:  thus  becoming,  as  a  member  of  the  Government, 
Colonel  Smith's  superior;  as  Field  Deputy,  his  colleague;  and 
as  Commissary-General,  his  inferior." 

On  14th  Alay,  Colonel  Smith  appointed  Mr.  Geils  (Artillery) 
to  act  as  field  engineer  with  the  army. 

On  8th  June,  Colonel  Donald  Campbell  ascended  the  pass  of 
Boodicota. 

On  the  16th  he  reduced  Vencatagherry,  three  marches  north, 
and  sent  a  detachment  back  to  reduce  Peddanaik  Durgum.  He 
then  went  against  Mulwaggle,  took  the  lower  fort,  but  found  the 
upper  one  too  strong. 

Colonel  Campbell  opened  a  secret  negotiation  with  the 
Killadar,  who  agreed  to  deliver  it  up 

Colonel  Campbell  moved  off  to  Colar  to  facilitate  matters, 
leaving  a  force  in  the  lower  fort.  A  stratagem  was  adopted. 
The  Killadar  had  been  told  by  Hyder  to  recruit,  and  he, 
pretending  that  they  were  deserters  from  the  English  force,  let 
in  a  party  of  sepoys  under  Captain  Matthews  (dressed  and 
painted  like  a  subadar),  at  4  a.m.  on  23rd  June,  and  the  place 
was  taken  without  loss. 

On  the  23rd  Colonel  Campbell  arrived  before  Colar.  Regular 
approaclies  w^ere  carried  on  to  the  crest  of  the  glacis,  when  the 
fort  surrendered  at  discretion.  Lieutenant  Henry  Moutresor, 
engineer,  was  here  "  shot  in  the  arm,  but  the  ball  was  extracted." 
Lieutenant  McLeod,  also  of  engineers,  was  "  wounded,  ball  not 
extracted.'' 

Meanwhile  the  Field  Deputies  and  army  under  Smith 
reached  Arlier,  and  Colonel  Campbell  was  told  to  join  head- 
quarters. 

Captain  Cosby  was  sent  on  28th  June  to  beat  up  Muckhdoom 
Sahib  at  Bauglore,  eighteen  miles  south-west;  but  the  day 
dawned  before  he  came  in  presence  of  the  enemy. 

On  3rd  July,  the  whole  army  moved  by  Bauglore  to  Oossoor, 


102  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1768. 

which  fell  on  the  1 1th,  and  a  detachment  under  Cosby  took 
Anikul  and  Denaikencottah. 

Colonel  Lang  was  now  sent  to  form  a  chain  of  posts,  to  form 
connection  with  those  conquered  by  Colonel  Wood,  south  of 
the  Cauvery. 

On  26th  July,  Mr.  Lewis  Smith  was  appointed  a  cadet  in  the 
Engineer  corps,  and  was  directed  to  proceed  with  Lieutenant 
Davis'  detachment  to  join  Colonel  Smith's  army. 

Colonel  Smith  had  recommended  the  Government  to  obtain 
tlie  services  of  Morari  Row,  and  on  4th  August,  at  Ooscotta, 
Morari  Row  joined  with  3,000  horse  and  2,000  irregular  infantry. 
Colonel  Wood  was  also  now  on  his  way  to  rejoin  the  main  army 
by  the  Tapoor  Pass.  . 

On  4th  August,  Hyder  had  entered  Bangalore. 

On  the  9th  the  enemy  made  their  first  appearance  to  reconnoitre, 
and  on  the  22nd,  Hyder  attacked  Morari  Row's  camp,  but  was 
not  successful,  as  he  lost  300  men  killed  and  wounded,  and 
eighty  good  horses,  besides  those  hurt.  Morari  Row  only  lost 
eighteen  men  and  thirty  horses. 

Colonel  Smith's  aide  de- camp.  Captain  Gee,  was  sent  to 
inquire  the  reason  of  the  disturbance,  and  was  cut  down  in  the 
dark  by  some  of  the  Mahrattas.  This  was  due  to  instructions 
of  Morari  Row  to  his  men  ;  they  were  ordered  not  to  mount,  but 
to  stand  at  their  horses'  heads,  and  cut  down  any  mounted  man. 
Captain  Gee  was,  of  course,  mounted,  and  in  the  dark  he  was 
taken  for  one  of  Hyder's  force. 

On  3rd  September,  Hyder  attempted  to  cut  off'  Colonel  Wood. 
Mahomed  Ali,  with  the  two  Field  Deputies,  with  escort,  were 
sent  to  Colar,  and  Colonel  Smith  moved  to  Maloor. 

On  the  oth  it  was  expected  Colonel  Wood  would  be  at 
13oodi(!Otta,  fifteen  miles  distant  from  Maloor;  so  Colonel  Smith 
placed  his  baggage  in  Maloor  on  the  5th,  and  early  on  the  Gth 
was  on  march  to  Boodicotta.  Hyder,  calculating  on  Colonel 
Smith  remaining       Maloor,   tried   to   attack  Wood  in   a  defile. 


1768.] 


MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  103 


The  hills  were  between  Hyder  and  Colonel  Smith,  as  well  as 
between  Colonel  Smith  and  Colonel  Wood. 

Colonel  Smith  sent  persons  to  top  of  hills  for  intelligence,  and 
learnt  that  Colonel  Wood  was  in  sight.  He  saw  that  he  could 
reach  and  clear  angle  of  defile  sooner  than  Hyder.  He  quickened 
his  pace,  and  sent  word  across  the  hills  to  Colonel  Wood.  The 
latter  very  foolishly  fired  a  salute,  and  Hyder  immediately 
counter-marched. 

Colonel  Smith  attempted  a  pursuit,  but  it  was  of  no  avail. 
Colonel  Wood,  owing  to  Colonel  Smith's  displeasure,  resigned 
his  command,  and  Colonel  Lang  took  charge  of  his  division, 
which  was  ordered  to  pursue  Hyder  in  direction  of  Bate- 
mungalum,  half-way  between  Vencatagherry  and  Colar ;  while 
Colonel  Smith  moved  by  Colar. 

Pursuit  was  of  no  use,  and  they  both  returned  to  Colar,  a  post 
being  established  at  Miigomally,  two  marches  north. 

Hyder  marched  to  Goorumcouda,  arranged  matters  with  Meer 
Sahib,  his  brother-in-law,  and  then  returned  respectably  reinforced 
to  Colar,  where  the  battering  train  of  the  English  was  drawn  out. 

Hyder  now  made  advances  for  peace,  and  was  ready  to  cede 
the  Baramahl  to  the  English,  and  pay  ten  lacs  of  rupees. 

The  English  Government  was  unreasonable,  and  the  negotia- 
tions failed. 

Colonel  Smith  had  previously  occupied  Mulwaggle  with  his 
own  troops,  but  the  Field  Deputies  had  relieved  the  garrison 
with  a  company  of  Mahomed  All's  troops,  and  Hyder  at  once 
took  the  place. 

Colonel  Wood  attempted  to  recover  it,  took  the  lower  fort,  but 
was  beaten  ofi"  in  his  attempt  to  escalade  the  rock. 

On  4th  October  a  convoy  appeared  to  be  approaching.  Colonel 
Wood  moved  out  with  a  small  force  to  reconnoitre,  was  attacked 
by  Hyder,  and  nearly  cut  oft".  Captain  Brookes  recovered  the 
day  by  advancing  by  a  circuitous  route  on  the  left  flank  of 
enemy,  and  then  attacked,  shouting,  "  Smith,  Smith." 


104  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  ti768. 

The   belligerents   both    thought    that    Smith's    division    had 

arrived,  and  Hyder  was  as  much  dismayed  as  the  English  were 

elated.     Colonel  Wood's  force  was  saved,  and,  in  spite  of  some 

Jl^perate   attacks    of  Hyder,    remained    in   possession    of    the 

nlld 

Hyder  lost  1,000,  while  that  of  the  English  was  eight  officers 
and  220  men,  with  two  guns. 

Both  forces  had  expended  nearly  all  their  ammunition. 

Colonel  Smith  was  at  Colar  when  he  heard  of  this  on  the  6th, 
and  early  on  the  7th  encamped  at  Mulwnggle. 

On  the  14th  both  divisions  were  in  motion  to  the  north,  and 
tried  to  bring  Hyder  to  a  general  action.  Hyder  harassed  each 
division  with  his  light  troops,  made  a  circuitous  movement,  and 
on  5th  November  alarmed  the  Field  Deputies,  and  Mahomed  Ali 
at  Colar.  Colonel  Ctimpbell  was  in  command,  and  Hyder, 
finding  his  arrangements  for  defence  judicious,  retired  on 
the  7th. 

Colonel  Smith  returned  on  the  8th,  under  heavy  rain.  He 
was  then  directed  to  proceed  to  Madras  to  give  his  advice  (it  was 
thought  by  many  that  he  was  recalled,  so  that  Wood  might 
command  the  army),  and  on  the  1 4th  November  tbe  Nabob, 
the  Field  Deputies,  and  Colonel  Smith  left  under  escort, 
accompanied  by  Morari  Row. 

During  this  period,  in  addition  to  Colonel  Call,*  who  was 
one  of  the  Field  Deputies,  the  engineers  with  the  army  were 
Lieutenant  Geils,  Lieutenant  Montresor,  and  Ensign  Marsden. 

Captain  McLean  was  shot  through  the  head  at  Tingricottah, 
on  12th  February  17C8;  and  Lieutenant  JNIcLeod,  it  is 
presumed,  died  from  effects  of  wound  received  on  2nd  July  the 
same  year,  as  no  further  mention  of  him  can  be  found. 

Cotsfurd  and  Stevens  were  in  the  north,  the  forming  acting 
as  Resident  of  Ganjam,  and  as  such,  assisting  Colonel  Peach  in 
command  of  Bengal  troops ;  while  the  latter  was  employed  in 
*  Date  of  colonelcy  by  brevet,  10th  April  17G5. 


1768.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  105 

Strengthening  forts  at  Ellore,  Masulipatam,  Bezwada,  Rajah- 
mundry,  and  Samulcottah.  Mr.  Paul  Benfield  is  not  mentioned, 
but  it  is  likely  he  also  was  with  the  army. 

Colonel  Smith's  division  moved  east  of  Colar,  and  hearing 
that  Hyder  was  besieging  Oossoor,  Colonel  Wood's  division  was 
reinforced  by  2nd  Regiment  of  Europeans,  and  Captain  Cosby's 
sepoys,  with  a  view  to  relieve  the  place.  Colonel  Smith's 
division,  under  Major  Fitzgerald,  remained  at  Vencatagherry  to 
cover  the  movement  of  the  Nabob.  Colonel  Wood  marched  to 
relieve  Oossoor  on  the  ICtli,  reached  Bauglore  on  the  17th,  left 
his  baggage,  &c.  in  the  pettah,  and  at  10  p.m.  moved  towards 
Oossoor  arriving  7  a.m.  on  the  I8ih.  He  intended  to  have  made 
a  night  attack,  but  was  thus  foiled. 

Hyder  remained  north  west  of  fort  till  Wood's  advance  was 
entering  Oossoor.  Meantime  Hyder's  infantry  got  between 
them,  and  Bauglore.  About  2  P  M.  repeated  discharges  of 
cannon  were  heard,  which  obliged  Colonel  Wood  to  retrace  his 
steps.  Bauglore  was  garrisoned  by  one  of  the  best  of  Mahomed 
All's  corps,  commanded  by  Captain  Alexander.  Hyder 
approached  in  several  columns.  Captain  Alexander  attempted 
to  preserve  two  18-pounders  which  had  been  left  by  Colonel 
Wood,  but  was  obliged  to  retreat  into  the  small  fort.  The 
enemy  entered  the  pettah,  and  the  camp-followers  and  inhabitants 
tried  to  get  into  the  fort ;  but  the  gate  was  shut,  and  then 
followed  a  dreadful  scene,  people  and  cattle  crushed  to  death  in 
hundreds.  Hyder  made  no  attempt  on  the  fort,  but  took  the 
18  pounders,  and  all  the  baggage,  and  sent  them  to  Bangalore. 
When  Wood  returned,  Hyder  was  nearly  out  of  sight. 

The  loss  sustained  was  2,000  people,  2,000  cattle,  two 
iH-pounders,  and  nearly  all  the  stores,  baggage,  and  camp 
equipage.  On  the  20th,  Wood  returned  to  Oossoor,  and  on  the 
21st  again  to  Bauglore,  and  same  evening  to  Arlier.  Hyder 
re-appeared  on  the  22nd,  and  opened  a  cannonade,  which  Wood 
attempted   to   return.      Hyder   made   a   show  of  retiring,  and   at 


106  MILITAEY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1768. 

10  P.M.  Wood  resumed  his  march,  when  Hyder  attacked,  and 
continued  to  do  so  throughout  the  night,  and  next  morning. 

Colonel  Wood's  ammunition  began  to  fail  when,  about  noon, 
Hyder  drew  off,  and  retreated  south-east.  This  was  caused  by 
approach  of  Major  Fitzgerald,  who  had  made  a  forced  march 
from  Vencatagherry. 

Fitzgerald  wanted  to  follow  Hyder  to  Bangalore  ;  but  Wood 
objected,  the  troops  being  insufficient.  Fitzgerald  addressed  a 
public  representation  to  Colonel  Smith  that  Wood  ought  to  be 
removed.  The  Government  ordered  Wood  to  proceed  in  arrest 
to  Madras,  and  Colonel  Lang  took  command  early  in 
December. 

Fuzzul-ulla-Khan,  commandant  of  Bangalore,  had  been  sent 
by  Hyder  to  Seringapatam.  With  7,000  men,  and  ten  guns  he 
took  all  the  English  posts  on  the  Coimbatore  side,  and  com- 
pleted his  descent  by  4th  December. 

On  the  6th  Hyder  descended  east  into  the  Baramahl  by 
pass  of  Palicode,  and  thence  south  through  pass  of  Ta- 
poor.  Colonel  Lang  sent  a  division  under  Major  Fitzgerald  on 
10th  in  same  direction  (£,000  men),  and  Colonel  Lang  found 
himself  under  the  wall  of  Vencatagherry  with  370  Europeans 
and  900  sepoys,  two  6-pounders,  one  3-pounder,  and  two 
howitzers. 

Colonel  Lang  was  now  directed  to  withdraw  the  battering 
train  from  Colar,  but  a  garrison  was  left  there  under  Captain 
Kelly. 

The  posts  in  Salem  and  Baramahl  fell  without  difficulty  to 
Hyder,  and  Fitzgerald  was  not  in  time  to  relieve  any  of  them. 

As  Fitzgerald  approached  the  Cauvery,  he  learnt  that  Hyder 
was  about  to  cross  near  Caroor,  and  was  going  to  Trichinopoly 
and  Tanjore.  Fitzgerald  resolved  to  cover  Trichinopoly,  and 
inclined  to  the  east.  Hyder  then  went  in  the  opposite  direc- 
tion, took  Caroor  and  Erode,  and  then  marched  against 
Cauverypatam, 


1768-C9.J  MADEAS    ENGINEEES.  107 

It  was  commanded  by  Captain  Faisan. 

He  had  been  besieged  for  a  month  by  Fuzzel-ulla-Khan ; 
after  a  protracted  defence  he  capituhited,  being  reduced  to  the 
last  extremity  for  want  of  provisions. 

Thus  closed  the  year  1768.  Hyder  had  recovered,  in  three 
weeks  after  his  descent,  the  whole  of  the  possessions  which  had 
been  wrested  from  him  in  two  campaigns,  except  Colar,  Vencata- 
gherry,  and  Kistnagherry. 

Fuzzel-ulla-Khan  was  now  sent  to  operate  from  Dindigul 
upon  Madura  and  Tinnevelly  ;  while  Hyder  recrossed  the 
Cauvery,  and  marched  to  east  along  the  north  bank. 

Fitzgerald  was  at  Munsoorpett  opposite  Trichinopoly.  He 
marched  farther  north  to  place  himself  between  Hyder  and 
Madras.  Hyder  crossed  to  south-east  in  rear  of  Fitzgerald,  and 
levied  four  lacs  of  rupees  from  Tanjore. 

The  Government  now  made  advances  for  peace.  Hyder 
returned  a  suitable  answer,  and  Captain  Brooke  was  sent  to  him. 
Captain  Brooke  reported  the  result,  and  the  Madras  Govern- 
ment sent  him  again  with  an  outline  of  the  terms.  These, 
however,  were  positively  rejected;  but  Hyder  said  he  was  still 
ready  to  receive  a  man  of  rank,  with  reasonable  proposals,  and 
full  powers.  The  Government  accordingly  sent  Mr.  Andrews, 
and  Colonel  Smith  once  more  assumed  command  of  the  army, 
which  was  directed  to  re-unite  on  Chettapet.  Colonel  Smith 
assumed  command  on  1st  February,  and  Mr.  Andrews  passed 
to  Hyder's  camp  on  the  l4th. 

On  the  22nd,  Mr.  Andrews  agreed  to  a  cessation  of  arms  for 
twelve  days,  and  proceeded  to  Madras  to  report  Hyder's 
ultimatum. 

Before  tlie  campaign  proceeds  further,  notice  may  be  taken  of 
the  proposed  changes  in  the  Engineers. 

It  was  shortly  intended  to  thoroughly  re-organise  the  corps, 
by  obtaining  some  officers  from  England,  and  place  it  entirely  on 
a  military  footing. 


108  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE  U7M. 

Accordingly  all  the  engineers  were  called  upon  to  make  their 
choice  regarding  their  resigning,  or  remaining  in  the  corps. 

Colonel  Call  sent  in  the  answers  of  the  engineers  as  follows: — 

Call  himself,  intended  to  quit  India  on  account  of  his  health. 
He  was  requested  to  continue  as  Chief  Engineer  as  long  as  he 
remained. 

Cot&ford  chose  the  Civil  Service,  and  was  appointed  Resident 
at  Ganjam. 

Paul  Beufield,  the  Civil  List. 

William  Stevens,  to  remain  in  the  Engineer  Corps. 

Henry  Montresor  requested  to  he  continued  in  the  Military 
Line. 

Barnard,  to  be  retained  on  Civil  List. 

Thomas  Marsden  wished  to  continue  on  the  Engineering  List. 

Mr.  William  Stevens  was  appointed  Sub-Director,  and 
Captain,  from  26th  January,  and 

Mr.  Thomas  Marsden,  Sub-Engineer,  and  liieutenant,  from  the 
same  date. 

To  resume.  Hyder's  proposals  were  rejected,  and  hostilities 
were  resumed  on  the  6th  March. 

Colonel  Smith  manoeuvred  very  skilfully,  and  more  than  once, 
in  his  manoeuvres  between  Giujee,  and  Madras  involved  Hyder 
in  perplexity,  and  repeatedly  out-manoeuvred  him. 

These  movements  had  brought  the  armies  141)  miles  south 
of  Madras.  Hyder  sent  off  all  his  army,  except  6,000  chosen 
horse,  and  200  infantry,  to  retire  through  pass  of  Ahtoor,  while 
he  himself  with  his  chosen  body  marched  IbO  miles  in  three  and 
a  half  days,  and  on  29th  March  appeared  within  five  miles  of 
Madras,  to  the  consternation  of  the  English  Government. 

On  the  23rd,  Smith  reinforced  Lang's  division,  and  sent  him 
in  direction  of  1  hiagur,  and  Trinomallee,  with  orders  to  take 
post  at  either,  and  to  act  on  the  communications  of  the  enemy 
with  the  passes  of  Ahtoor,  and  Changama. 


1769]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  109 

When  Smith  heard  of  Hyder's  movement,  he  ordered  Lang  to 
attack,  while  they  were  in  the  pass  ;  but  Lang  found  his  force 
quite  insufficient  for  an  attack  on  Hyder's  main  army. 

Colonel  Smith  followed  with  celerity,  and  early  on  31st  was 
met  ten  miles  from  his  camp  with  an  order  to  halt  whenever 
the  letter  mi^lit  reach  him.  Hyder,  finding  Smith  was  so  close, 
said  he  could  not  negotiate  with  his  army  so  near;  so  Smith,  on 
1st  April,  was  ordered  to  retire.  He  sent  word  he  would  move 
on  2nd.  Hyder  finding  he  did  not  move  on  1st,  moved  to  the 
north  earlv  on  2nd  ;  and  Government,  alarmed  for  Black  Town, 
ordered  Smith  to  march  north,  or  to  Madras,  whichever  he  might 
deem  expedient.  Smith  obeyed  with  alacrity,  but  had  not 
moved  half  way,  when  he  was  ordered  again  to  halt. 

The  treatv  with  Hyder  was  concluded  the  same  evening,  and 
executed  the  following  day. 


110  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [mo. 


CHAPTEE    V. 

Black  Town  fortified. — Army  sent  against  Tanjore. — Capture  of  Vellum. — 
Vellum  occupied. — Siege  of  Tanjore. — Engineers  suffer  heavily. — Montresor 
wounded. — Colonel  Ross  wounded. — Dispute  as  to  right  of  engineers  to  take 
rank  in  the  army. — Force  sent  to  reduce  Ramnad. — Ramnad  stormed. — 
The  Poligar  killed. — Montresor  appointed  to  the  infantry. — Campbell  killed. 
— Montresor  dies. — Tanjore  assaulted  and  captured. — Magore  taken. — 
Survey  of  Northern  Circars. — Coi-ps  of  Guides  raised. — Dispute  about  rank 
of  engineers. — Artillery  located  at  St.  Thomas'  Mount. — Chief  Entrinper 
complains  against  Captain  Dugood. — Bound  hedge  for  Madras  — Memorial 
of  Engineers  to  Commander-in-Chief. — Tanjore  restored  to  the  Raja. — Paul 
Benfield.  —  Lieutenant  Robert  Schoular  appointed  surveyor.  —  Vellum 
destroyed. — Complaint  of  Chief  Engineer. — Lieut. -Colonel  Cosby  commands 
a  force  against  Rajah  of  Carvetnuggur. — War  with  France. — Siege  of  Pondi- 
cherry. — Major  Stevens,  Chief  Engineer,  killed. — Pondicherry  delivered  up, 
19th  October  1778. — Captain  Maule  remarks  on  Major  Stevens. — Siege  of 
Mahe. — Mahe  captured. — Forts  destroyed. — Geils  distinguished  at  Pondi- 
cherry.— Sea-face  of  Fort  St.  George. — Full  batta. 

Colonel  Call,  on  13th  March  1769,  had  represented  the 
necessity  of  fortifying  Black  Town. 

He  proposed  a  simple  enclosure,  composed  of  hastions  and 
curtains,  varying  in  their  size  and  length  according  to  the 
nature  of  the  ground.  The  angles  made  by  the  prolongations  of 
the  curtain  to  he  very  ol'tnse  He  went  into  consirlerahle 
detail  as  regards  method  of  carrying  out  the  work,  &c.  &c 

Early  in  the  year  the  Chief  Engineer  was  called  upon  to 
survey  the  country  round   Madras,  and  during  the  whole  of  this 


1770.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  Ill 

year  all  the  engineers  appear  to  have  been  employed  in  aimilar 
duties,  as  no  military  expeditions  were  undertaken 

John  Call  *  left  Madras  for  England  in  early  part  of  the  year, 
and  Henry  Montresor  f  took  charge  of  the  works  at  Madras  in 
his  place.  While  so  engaged  he  sent  in  a  chart  of  India,  and 
the  Board  complimented  him  on  his  great  merit  and  abilities, 
and  gave  him  a  commission  as  Sub-Director  and  Captain  of 
Engineers,  to  rank  from  June  17  70. 

In  July,  Montresor  recommended  that  Pigot's  and  Lawrence's 
bastions,  Fort  St.  George,  should  be  rebuilt,  and  St.  George's 
ravelin  erected.  The  two  bastions  were  in  a  very  ruinous  state. 
He  estimated  th  •  cost  at  143,500  pagodas.  Mr.  Benfield  was 
rec^^mniended  as  conti'nctor. 

The  Board  agreed  to  Montresor's  proposal,  ond  blamed  John 
Brohierfor  weakening  the  works  by  deepening  the  ditch. 

On  23rd  March  1770,  the  Court  of  Directors  ordered  that  the 
establishment  of  engineers  sliould  consist  of: — 

1    Chief  Engineer,  with  rank  of  Eieutenant-Colonel 

1  Director,  with  rank  of  Major. 

3  Sub  Directors,  with  rank  of  Captain. 

2  Sub-Engineers,  with  rank  of  Lieutenant. 

2   Practitioner  Lngineers,  with  rnnk  of  Ensigns. 

Thev  applied  to  the  Board  of  Ordnance  for  an  officer  of  Royal 
Engineers,    and    Patrick    Ross|,    then    a    captain-lieutenant   of 

*  He  was  eldest  son  of  John  Call,  Esq.,  of  Launcels,  county  of  Cornwall.  After 
retirement  from  the  Company's  service  he  entered  Parliament — being  subse- 
quently appointed  one  of  the  Commissioners  to  inquire  into  the  state  and 
manaf^ement  of  Crown  lands.  He  was  created  a  baronet  on  28th  July  1791.  He 
married  28th  March  1772,  Philadelphia,  third  daughter  and  co-heir  of  William 
Batty,  M.D.,  by  whom  he  had  a  family.     He  died  1st  March  1801. 

t  On  10th  June  17(10,  Mr.  Henry  Montresor  reported  himself  fit  for  duty,  and 
he  was  appointed  to  superintend  the  works  at  Madras. 

I  He  appears  to  have  joined  the  Royal  Engineers  in  1751  as  sub-engineer  and 
lieutenant.  In  17G1-G2  he  was  .stationed  at  Guadaloupe  and  Martinique.  Guada- 
loupo  was  taken  from  the  French  in  January  17G0,  but  the  complete  conquest 
of   the  island  was  not  effected  till  May.     On  4th  January  17G2,  when  Ross  was 


112  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [mo. 

nineteen  years'  standing,  was  placed  at  their  disposal   as  Chief 
Engineer. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross  arrived  at  Madras  on,  or  about,  the 
loth  September,  and  the  Corps  of  Enf^ineers  consisted  of  the 
following  officers : — 

Patrick    Ross,    Principal,    and     Lieutenant-Colonel,     1 5th 

September  1770. 
Archibald   Mitchell,  Director,  and   Major,    loth  September 

1770. 
William  Stevens,  Sub-Director,   and  Captain,  26th  January 

1769. 
Henry    Montresor,  Sub -Director,  and   Captain,  25th  June 

1770. 
Philip  Pittman,  Sub-Director,  and  Captain,  15th  September 

1770. 
William      Campbell,      Sub-Director,    and      Captain,     15th 

September  1770. 
Thomas   Marsden,    Sub-Engineer,   and    Lieutenant,    26th 

January  1769. 


at  Guadaloupe,  war  was  declared  between  Great  Britain  and  Spain.  On 
6th  June  17G2  our  fleet  under  Admiral  Pocock,K.C.B.,  appeared  before  Havana. 
The  castle  of  El  Moro  (which  commanded  the  harbour)  was  built  on  a  rock 
of  great  height,  and  fortified  with  batteries  of  heaviest  artillery  then  known. 
It  was  stormed  on  30th  July.  On  11th  August  the  Governor  hung  out  a  flag 
of  truce,  and  on  the  14th  we  took  possession. 

The  army  consisted  of  14,000  men  under  the  Earl  of  Albemarle.  Our  losses 
were  very  heavy.  The  army  alone  lost  1,800,  and  the  losses  in  the  fleet,  though 
less,  were  yet  very  considerable.  This  capture  of  the  Havana  was  effected  less 
than  two  months  before  Manilla  was  captured  by  us  under  General  Drainer. 

In  1763  Ross  was  still  a  sub-engineer,  and  next  year  we  find  him  named  as 
extraordinary  engineer  with,  it  is  presumed,  the  rank  of  Captain-Lieutenant. 

It  is  likely  that  Ross  was  engaged  on  active  service  in  this  war,  which  came 
to  an  end  on  10th  February  1763,  the  date  of  the  Treaty  of  Paris.  This  was 
the  era  of  England's  greatest  prosperity.  We  conquered  Canada,  Cape  Breton, 
and  St.  John,  as  well  as  Cuba ;  at  the  Peace,  Martinique,  Guadaloupe, 
Marie  Galante  Desuada  and  St.  Lucia  were  given  back  to  France.  England 
retaining  Grenada,  Grenadines,  St.  Vincent,  Dominica,  and  Tobago. 

Martinique  was  captured  on  3rd  February  1762. 


1770.]  MADEAS    ENGINEEES.  Il3 

George   Lewis  Wittever,    Sub-Engineer,   and    Lieutenant, 

loth  September  1770. 
George    Maule,    Practitioner  Engineer  and  Ensign,  31st 

August  1770. 

Witli  the  exception  of  Stevens,  Montresor,  and  Marsden,  all 
these  came  from  England. 

Montresor,  having  been  appointed  Captain  before  the  orders 
for  forming  the  establishment  were  received,  was  made  a 
supernumerary. 

Stevens  had  joined  as  Ensign  on  7th  January  1764, 
Montresor  as  Lieutenant  on  8th  September  1767,  and 
Marsden  as  Ensign  on  1 2th  November  1767.* 

The  establishment  allowed  for  two  ensigns,  but  only  one 
was  appointed.! 

The  Chief  Engineer  was  directed  to  remain  at  the  Presidency 
with  two  captains,  one  lieutenant,  and  one  ensign  ;  while  the 
Director  or  Major  was  ordered  to  the  Northern  Circars,  with 
two  captains,  one  lieutenant,  and  one  ensign  to  assist  him. 

The  Chief  Engineer  was  made  a  member  of  the  Board,  and 
Captain  Montresor,  who  had  previously  been  appointed,  was  also 
to  remain  as  a  member. 

Before  the  close  of  November,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross  sent 
in  a  plan  for  an  arsenal.  The  estimate  amounted  to  the  modest 
sum  of  9,327  pagodas,  or  about  37,000  rupees. 

Engineers  with  the  army  at  this  time  were  Captain  Montresor 
and  two  subalterns. 

In  1770-71  Hyder  was  engaged  in  war  with  the  Mahrattas. 
The  Rajah  of  Tanjore  had  previously  paid  tribute  to  the  Nabob 
of  the  Carnatic.     Encouraged  by  the  vicinity  of  the   Mahrattas 

•  Alexander  Mitchell  (Major  Mitchell's  brother)  was  appointed,  25th  January 
1771,  Practitioner-Engineer  and  Ensign,  to  make  up  the  establishment. 

t  Thomas  Marsden  died  at  Tripassoor  on  IDth  March  1771,  and  George  Maule 
was  appointed  Lieutenant  in  his  place ;  Alexander  Dugood,  who  came  out  in  the 
military  line  in  17G8,  was  appointed  to  fill  up  the  vacancy  in  ensigns. 

8 


114  MiLltARY   HiSTORt    OP    THE 

(his  own  countrymen),  the  Rajah  resisted  the  demand.  The 
Nabob  required  from  the  British  Government  an  army  to 
enforce  it.  After  some  hesitation,  which  arose  from  doubts  as 
to  who  was  to  meet  the  expenses,  his  request  was  granted. 
The  Raja  paid  the  Mahratta  commander  five  lacs  of  rupees, 
obtaining  in  consideration  a  promise  of  assistance. 

Trimbuck  Row,  the  Mahratta  cliief,  threatened  with  a  con- 
siderable force  to  descend  into  the  province  of  Arcot ;  but  a 
payment  of  four  lacs  by  Mahomed  Ali  to  Trimbuck  Row  put  a 
stop  to  this  movement. 

It  was  not  till  September  1771,  that  an  army  was  sent  against 
Tanjore,  under  Colonel  Joseph  Smith.  The  army  assembled  at 
Trichinopoly,  arrived  at  Vellum  at  10  a.m.  on  16th  September, 
and  was  soon  visited  by  the  Tanjore  cavalry.  Rain  fell  for  two 
hours.  As  soon  as  weather  cleared,  w^e  advanced  with 
Matthews'  cavalry,  and  Corps  of  Grenadiers.  "  The  instant  we 
began  to  speak  from  the  mouths  of  our  sixes,  they  (Tanjore 
Cavalry)  set  out  for  Tanjore." 

We  moved  down  and  occupied  the  pettah.  The  fort  was 
regular,  compact,  stroni:,  and  garrisoned  by  1,000  sepoys,  '-iOO 
topasses,  &c.  A  battery  of  six  LS-pounders  was  erected,  and 
opened  against  Vellum  on  20th  September.  By  night  a  breach 
was  made,  but  it  was  not  deemed  practicable  by  the  engi- 
neers. On  this  day  Lieutenant- Colonel  Ross,  Captain 
Campbell,  and  Mr.  Maule,  all  of  the  Engineers,  joined  the  army. 
At  midnight  on  the  20th,  Colonel  Bonjour  was  ordered  to 
advance  to  the  breach  with  some  Europeans,  and  a  battalion  of 
sepoys. 

He  found  the  fort  deserted,  and  opened  one  of  the  gates. 

On  23rd  September  the  army  marched  and  encamped  before 
Tanjore,  three  miles  E.  by  S.  On  the  fall  of  Vellum  the  Rajah 
ordered  the  pettah  to  be  evacuated,  broke  up  his  camp,  and 
marched  into  the  fort,  leaving  only  his  cavalry  in  the  field. 

Colonel    Flint   was   posted   with     Europeans   and    grenadier 


im.J  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  115 

sepoys  at  a  mosque  in  the  pettah,  800  yards  from  the  fort,  and 
a  company  of  sepoys  at  a  village  in  their  front. 

On  the  23rd  and  24th,  the  engineers  reconnoitred,  and  their 
people  prepared  fascines  and  gabions. 

It  was  determined  to  attack  the  south-west  angle,  and  the  army 
moved  nearer  to  the  fort. 

We  broke  ground  on  29th  September,  and  a  battery  was 
raised  for  six  heavy  guns,  and  two  l2-pounders,  also  one  10-inch, 
and  two  8  inch  mortars,  to  ruin  the  defences  of  the  front 
attacked. 

This  battery  was  opened  on  2nd  October,  but  was  not 
found  to  have  the  desired  effect,  and  Colonel  Ross  then  advanced 
a  trench  to  a  water-course  250  yards  in  front  of  it ;  and  on  the 
side  of  it  nearest  to  the  fort  erected  another  battery  of  ten 
guns,  370  yards  from  the  walls. 

This  opened  fire  on  the  11  th.  The  enemy  kept  up  a  brisk  fire, 
which  killed  and  wounded  many  of  our  men. 

On  7th  October,  at  night,  Colonel  Ross  was  wounded  on  the 
cheek-bone  by  a  musket-ball,  and  Captain  Montresor  look 
command  of  the  engineers  for  a  short  time ;  but  befon  the 
20th,  Colonel  Ross  was  again  on  the  works. 

From  the  advanced  battery,  a  sap  was  carried  on  to  the  <  rest 
of  the  glacis. 

It  was  commenced  on  the  1 3th.  The  weather  was  vary 
unfavourable  for  the  besiegers — heavy  rain  every  afternoon,  and 
the  greater  part  of  the  night. 

On  the  14th  night,  Captain  Campbell  was  wounded  through 
both  thighs,  but  the  bones  were  not  hurt.  The  fort  kept  up 
as  heavy  a  fire  as  we  did,  and  it  was  considered  by  Colonel 
Smith  that  "  whoever  had  the  direction  of  their  works,  and 
defending  them,  was  neither  deficient  in  knowledge  nor 
activity." 

On  the  15th,  our  approaches  were  carried  within  twenty  paces 
of  the  covered  way,  and  on  the  17th  they  had  reached  the  crest, 

8  • 


116  MILITAKT    HISTORY    OF    THTC  [1771. 

and  the  Engineers  were  busied  in  forming  a  battery  to  breach 
the  outer  wall,  which  was  of  stone,  very  high,  and  the  ditch 
more  than  twenty-four  feet  deep. 

On  the  20th  (Colonel  Ross  wrote)  : — 

"  We  have  now  sunk  a  shaft  within  a  few  feet  of  the  crest  of 
the  glacis,  and  are  carrying  on  our  galleries  in  order  to  place 
our  mines,  so  as  to  blow  in  enough  of  the  counterscarp  to  make 
the  descent  into  the  ditch  easy  ;  and  we  are  at  the  same  time 
sinking  a  four  gun  battery  in  the  glacis,  whose  embrasures  are 
to  be  cut  out  of  it,  in  order  to  batter  the  fausse-braye  wall  as 
low  as  possible — the  wall  of  the  body  of  the  place  being 
already  destroyed." 

On  same  date  Colonel  Smith  says  in  a  letter  :  "  The  soil  is 
very  hard,  and  it  will  take  time  ;  our  engineers  are  too  sanguine. 
Colonel  Ross  is  again  abroad  ;  and  Montresor,  from  a  musket- 
ball  that  went  through  his  hat  and  grazed  his  head,  but  did  not 
brrak  the  skin,  is  much  indisposed.  Captain  Campbell  is 
wounded  through  both  thighs.  Lieutenant  Geils,  a  very  active 
young  gentleman,  is  shot  in  the  head,  and  Lieutenant  Bonne- 
veaux  in  the  arm.  In  short,  scarce  one  in  that  corps  has 
escaped.  Lieutenant  Wittever  is  sick,  and  only  Mr  Maule 
remains." 

On  the  24th,  the  engineers  reported  that  the  mine  for  making 
descent  into  the  ditch,  would  be  ready  next  day. 

"  The  10-gun  battery  began  to  play  this  morning  to  the  right 
of  breach.  It  rained  a  great  part  of  the  day.  The  4-gun 
battery  in  covered  way  is  to  open  on  fausse-braye  wall  at  mid- 
night, as  the  engineers  report  that  the  mine  by  tliat  time  will  be 
loaded  and  secured,  so  as  to  receive  no  damage  from  shock  of 
firing." 

"The  10-gun  battery  will  continue  to  enlarge  the  breach. 
It  is  believed  the  enemy  have  made  a  retrenchment  behind  the 
breach." 

"  25th. — The     4-gun     battery    could     not    be    opened    till 


1771.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  117 

i  I  A.M.,  as  the  mine  was  not  secured  till  that  time,  on  account  of 
a  spring  whicli  interrupted  the  miners  ;  however,  a  brisk  fire 
has  been  kept  up  from  the  10  and  4-gun  batteries,  and  will  be 
continued  till  the  breach  is  practicable." 

"  26th. — The  guns  from  both  batteries  firing  night  and 
day,  and  the  4-gun  battery  has  not  made  the  impression  on 
fausse-braye  wall  that  was  expected.  The  garrison  keep  up  a 
very  hot  fire,  and  we  lose  both  Europeans  and  sepoys  every  day." 

On  the  27th,  General  Smith  received  a  letter  from  the  Nabob, 
informing  that  he  had  signed  articles  of  peace  in  consequence 
of  the  Raja  accepting  terms  ofi'ered  ;  and  hostilities  at  once 
ceased. 

On  the  27th,  the  engineers  had  reported  that  the  breach  would 
be  practicable  by  next  morning,  both  in  the  fort  and  fausse- 
braye,  and  it  was  resolved  to  spring  the  mine  to  open  a  passage 
into  the  ditch  ;  but  before  this  could  be  done,  Colonel  Smith 
received  the  letter  before  mentioned. 

"During  the  siege  there  were  frequent  sallies;  they  were 
always  repulsed,  but  not  without  some  loss."* 

"  The  besieged  kept  up  an  incessant  fire  from  the  fort  ever 
since  we  came  before  it  (till  the  peace  was  made),  both  from 
musketry  and  artillery — particularly  with  the  18  and  24-pounders 
taken  from  General  Lally,  and  it  is  my  (Colonel  Smith's) 
astonishment  how  their  magazines  held  out." 

"  I  was  under  the  necessity  of  forming  a  pioneer  company  of 
Europeans  from  the  different  corps,  which  was  commanded  by 
Captain  Wolf  during  the  siege.  A  body  of  miners  was  also 
formed  under  Lieutenant  Barrow.  Both  these  small  corps  were 
indefatigable  in  their  duty,  and  showed  the  utmost  spirit  and 
activity  on  every  occasion."  "  Two  breaches  were  nearly  practic- 
able at  the  time  the  Nabob  settled  matters  with  the  Rajah.     The 

*  On  1st  October  enemy  made  a  very  spirited  sally  on  our  works,  but  it  failed 
although  very  resolutely  pushed  from  half  past  10  to  3.  Enemy  lost  sevaa 
i  emadars  and  100  horsemen  killed,  200  horses  killed  and  200  wounded. 


118  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  &771. 

officers,  &c.,  think  that  circumstances  alone  will  be  sufficient  * 
to  plead  for  them,  as  it  was  in  consequence  of  the  dread  of  our 
arms,  and  being  on  the  crest  of  the  glacis,  that  obliged  the 
Rajah  to  comply  with  the  young  Nabob's  demands."  "  Captain 
Montresor,  who  carries  this  packet  to  the  Honourable  Board, 
will  also  deliver  to  you  a  plan  of  Vellum  ;  and  I  cannot,  in  justice 
to  this  gentleman's  character,  avoid  assuring  your  Honour,  &c., 
that  he  has  behaved  during  this  siege  with  great  activity,  zeal 
and  spirit,  and  as  a  good  and  deserving  officer.  Colonel  Ross 
received  a  bad  wound  in  his  cheek,  but  was  so  fortunate  as  to 
be  able  to  go  soon  abroad  again,  and  attend  to  his  duty. 

"  He  has  been  extremely  active  and  diligent  since  his 
arrival  in  camp,  so  indeed  have  all  the  gentlemen  acting  under 
the  Engineer." 

Return  of  killed  and  wounded  from  date  of  leaving  Trichino- 
poly  to  28th  October  1771  :— 


KiUed. 

Wounded. 

European  Cavalry 

2 

— 

Artillery 

8 

...       31 

Infantry 

..     31 

94 

Sepoys 

..     86 

...      195 

127  320 

Besides  2  officers  killed  and  16  wounded  ;  also  0  of  Nabob's 
troops  killed,  and  30  wounded,  with  8  lascfirs  killed  and  37 
wouuded. 

Grand  Total— Killed 143 

Wounded  .  ...     403 


546 


♦  The  Nabob  had  promised  to  present  the  army  -with  seven  lacs  of  rupees,  if 
it  succeeded  against  Tanjore. 


1771.11 


MADKAS    ENGINEERS. 


119 


Engineer  Officers : — 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Ross 

Captain  Campbell 

Lieutenant  Geils  (Artillery)  acting  as 
Engineer     ... 

Lieutenants  Bonneveaux,  (2nd  Regi- 
ment), acting  as  Engineer 

Infantry  Officers  : — 

Lieutenants  Weld  (2nd  Regiment)  and 
Nicol  (Sepoy  Regiment)  ... 

Artillery: — 


Wounded, 
do. 

do. 

do. 


Killed. 


Captain  Alathew  Home 

Wounded. 

Lieutenant  McHugo 

do. 

„          Clawson 

do. 

„          Judson    ... 

do. 

,,          Douglas... 

do. 

Darrell   (2nd   Regiment) 

do. 

Sepoy  Regiments : — 

Lieutenant  Barton    ... 

Wounded. 

„        Campbell 

do. 

„        Davis 

do. 

„        Huckey  ... 

do. 

Captain  McKenzie   ... 

do. 

Ensign  Dixon 

do. 

In  tins  year,  a  great  dispute  arose  as  to  the  right  of  the 
engineers  to  take  rank  and  command  in  the  army. 

The  engineers,  nine  in  number,  sent  in  a  lengthy  joint 
remonstrance,  and  requested  that  their  representation  of  the 
state  of  the  corps  might  be  transmitted  to  the  Court  of  Direc- 
tors. The  Board  decided  that,  by  the  express  words  of  the 
commissions  granted  to  the  engineers,  they  had  a  right  of 
commanding  in  the  field  or  garrison  according  to  their 
respective  ranks. 

Towards  the  end  of  November  1771,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Ross 


120  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1772. 

was  sent  to  Vellum  to  report  on  necessary  works  to  put  the  fort 
in  proper  order  ;  and  he  was  directed  not  to  interfere  with  the 
garrison,  but  to  confine  his  attention  solely  to  the  service  on 
which  he  was  employed. 

Major  Mitchell  and  Captain  Stevens,  with  Mr.  Mitchell,  were 
engaged  in  the  Northern  Circars  during  this  year. 

In  March  1772,  a  force  was  assembled  nearTrichinopoly,  under 
Colonel  Smith,  to  reduce  Ramnad. 

The  Ramnad  country  was  entered  in  the  month  of  May. 
On  20th   April,   Captain  Pittman  was   appointed  to  proceed 
with  the  troops  as  engineer.     Lieutenants  Geils  and  Maule  were 
also  with  the  army. 

Although  a  monthly  journal  of  the  operations  was  sent  in, 
as  well  as  a  sketch  of  the  country  through  which  the  army 
marched,  they  could  not  be  found,  and  so  details  of  the  move- 
ments are  wanting.  The  army  appears  to  have  marched  from 
Trichinopoly  by  Sathrum.  Veeramalai  and  Nathum,  to  Madura, 
and  then,  it  is  presumed,  down  the  valley  of  the  Vygah  to 
Ramnad,  a  distance  of  about  150  miles. 

Towards  the  end  of  May,  the  army  appeared  before  Ramnad, 
and  the  engineers  at  once  commenced  to  make  preparations  for 
the  siege. 

On  1st  June,  a  battery  for  two  12-pounders  was  finished,  for 
enfilading  the  face  attacked,  and  on  the  2nd  another  for  four 
18-pounders  was  completed  to  form  a  breach  ;  a  few  days  after, 
Ramnad  was  stormed. 

After  the  capture  of  Ramnad,  the  force  marched  into  the  little 
Marawar  country,  and  encamped  before  the  barrier  leading  to 
Calliacoil,*  the  Rajah's  stronghold.  A  detour  was  made  with  a 
strong  force  to  the  enemy's  rear,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Bonjour;  the  enemy  were  completely  surprised,  and  Calliacoil 
was  entered. 

*  Calliacoil  is  about  ten  pajles  eaetrof  Shevagunga, 


1772-73.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  121 

The  enemy  were  dispersed  with  severe  loss,  the  Poligar  being 
killed,  and  the  campaign  was  brought  to  a  close. 

On  9th  November  1772,  Captain  Montresor  was  appointed  to 
the  infantry  at  his  own  request,  after  having  surveyed  the  road 
from  Suthram,  Nathum,  Trichinopoly  and  Veeramalai,  which 
was  required  to  complete  the  chart  of  routes  of  the  army  on  the 
Marawar  expedition,  drawn  by  Captain  Pittraan. 

"The  intestine  commotions  of  the  Mahratta  State  in  1773 
suggested  to  Mahomed  Ali  the  present  moment  as  the  most 
favourable  for  realising  his  long-projected  design  of  p-^ssessing 
the  government  and  territory  of  Tanjore." 

In  July  1773,  a  force  was  assembled  at  Trichinopoly  for  the 
reduction  of  Tanjore.     General  Smith  again  commanded. 

The  army  marched  on  3 1st  July,  and  encamped  on  left  of 
Sugar-loaf  Rock  ;  left  again  on  2nd  August,  reached  Gingar- 
putty  on  the  4th,  and  Vellum  on  the  5th;  Tanjore  in  front  six 
miles  east-north-east. 

The  Tanjoreans  were  encamped  north  of  the  fort.  On  the 
6th,  at  3  AM,  General  Smith  marched  with  a  detachment  of 
the  army,  accompanied  by  the  chief  engineer,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Ross,  to  reconnoitre  ground  round  Tanjore  At  daylight  they 
discovered  enemy's  tents,  and  part  of  their  cavalry  encamped 
close  under  the  walls.  Reconnoitred  till  noon,  and  returned  to 
Monajee's  tope 

The  Tanjore  cavalry,  1,500  to  2,0U0  strong,  moved  out  two 
and  a  half  miles  from  fort.  Captain  Rumley  with  the  cavalry 
was  ordered  to  charge  He  routed  and  pursued  them,  inflicting 
a  loss  of  fully  100  killed  and  wounded. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  we  marched  to  Queen's 
Choultry 

By  20th  August  we  had  broken  ground,  and  had  advanced 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Vaughan  to  a  commanding  spot  on  west 
side,  where  there  were  two  pagodas,  350  yards  apart ;  and  our 
working  parties  were  running   a  parallel   from    one  to  the   other 


122  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [177H 

about  700  yards  from  the  walls.  Our  loss  in  this  transaction 
was  inconsiderable.  Major  Fletcher  marched  at  9  p.m.  to  attack 
the  enemy  on  east  side  of  the  fort. 

21st, — The  engineers  continued  their  parallel  north  along  the 
west  face,  for  a  distance  of  400  yards,  and  on  the  22nd  it  was 
lengthened  by  220  yards. 

On  23rd  August  it  was  carried  still  further,  and  it  was  intended 
to  erect  a  redoubt  on  the  left,  but  that  night  there  was  not 
sufficient  time.  The  enemy  made  an  attack  on  the  trenches,  but 
were  repulsed. 

On  this  day  we  got  possession  of  two  pagodas  about  500 
yards  north  of  the  North  Gate. 

Captain  W.  Campbell,  of  the  Engiueers,  was  killed  on  the  24th. 

*'  Lieutenant- Colonel  Ross,  Captain  Campbell,  his  brother,  and 
Lieutenant  Fletcher,  with  the  Pioneer  Company,  left  our  post  at 
the  pagodas,  and  were  on  their  way  to  the  trenches  which  had 
been  attacked  in  the  morning,  when  Captain  Campbell  was  shot 
through  the  head,  and  one  of  the  pioneers  killed."  General 
Smith  in  his  despatch  remarked,  "  I  am  much  concerned  for  poor 
Campbell ;  he  was  a  very  good  man.""^ 

"  By  the  26th,  our  guns,  mortars  and  howitzers  were  sent  to 
the  batteries.  All  this  time,  an  incessant  fire  was  kept  up  by  the 
enemy,  without  our  returning  a  shot  from  our  batteries." 

"Colonel  Bonjour  and  Major  Home  offered  their  services  to 
assist  the  engineers.  Lieutenant  Barrow,  while  engaged  assisting 
the  former,  was  killed  by  a  cannon-shot." 

"At  6  A.M.  on  the  27th,  our  batteries  opened  fire  from  seven 
18  pounders,  seven  12-pounders,  and  eight  mortars  and 
howitzers." 

"  By  1 1  A.M.  we  had  silenced  the  enemy's  guns,  except  an 
18  and  a  24-pounder  on  south-west  angle.  A  battery  was 
constructed  to  dismount  these  " 

*  Promotions  in  consequence  of  Campbell's  death :  George  Maiile  to  be  Captain, 
Alexander  Dugood  to  be  Lieutenant. 


1773.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  123 

"  A  secure  post  was  established  at  Mnnnarcoil  Pagoda  on 
Negapatam  Road,  three  miles  in  front  of  the  East  Gate." 

"  On  the  31st,  a  trench  was  run  from  onr  iipproaches,  120  yards, 
nearly  parallel,  to  the  covered  way,  and  about  250  yards  from 
the  walls  to  a  rising  ground  on  the  left,  where  a  battery  for  four 
guns  was  begun." 

"On  1st  September,  the  battery  was  finished  with  exception 
of  platforms  ;  and  on  the  2nd,  another  battery  for  guns  was 
commenced,  with  a  trench  of  communication;  enemy  still  keeping 
up  a  fire  from  ten  or  twelve  guns." 

"  By  .5th  September,  the  approaches  had  been  carried  to 
the  crest  of  the  glacis." 

"  On  the  7th,  our  line  of  communications  extended  ahmg 
the  glacis  as  far  as  was  necessary,  and  a  return  was  made  to 
secure  our  left." 

"  The  ditch  was  ascertained  to  be  150  feet  wide,  and  three  and 
a  half  feet  deep." 

"  Covered  way  six  feet  high,  and  fifteen  feet  broad.  Half  the 
ditch  next  to  us  was  dry,  and  the  water,  mud,  and  weeds  six 
feet  deep." 

"  From  the  7th  to  the  I2th,  the  engineers  were  going  on  with 
their  batteries,  and  the  descent  into  the  ditch  ;  the  latter  by  a 
gallery  under  the  glacis." 

"On  the  11th,  the  Tanjoreans  marched  out  to  attack  the  post 
on  the  east,  but  they  were  repulsed." 

''On  the  10th,  the  sap  battery  was  being  constructed;  it  was 
not  to  be  opened  out,  till  everything  was  ready  to  fill  up  the 
ditch.  Three  Europeans  were  this  day  killed  by  one  of  our 
own  shells;  one  had  about  two  pounds  of  iron  taken  out  of  his 
hip." 

■'11th. — Miners  going  on  with  descent  into  the  ditch. 
Materials  for  filling  up  the  ditch  in  great  forwardness." 

"  18th.— Sap  battery  of  eight  guns  finished  this  night  " 

Captain    Montresor   had  been  dangerously  ill  for  a   few  days. 


124  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1773. 


and  died  at  I  p  m.     He  was  stated  to  have  been  "  a  good  officer, 
and  a  loss  to  the  service." 

He  had  been  lately  transferred  to  the  infantry  at  his  own  wish. 
He  came  out  with  rank  of  lieutenant,  and  was  an  engineer  officer 
for  five  years. 

"  Nth. — Began  to  breach  this  morning  at  daylight  from  two 
4-gun  batteries,  in  front  of  the  parallel.  Sap  battery  of  eight 
guns  opened  in  the  afternoon." 

"On  the  1 6th,  a  passage  twelve  feet  wide  was  completed  across 
the  ditch." 

"  On  the  17th,  the  Chief  Engineer  having  reported  the  breach 
practicable,  the  storming  party  made  the  assault,  and  by  1  p.m. 
union  flags  were  flying  on  the  enemy's  cavaliers,  and  four 
companies  of  British  Grenadiers,  and  six  battalions  of  sepoys 
were  in  possession  of  the  town." 

The  attacking  party  was  commanded  by  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Vaughan. 

Our  losses  during  the  siege  were  6  officers  killed,  besides 
4  who  died,  and  14  wounded  ;  IG  Europeans  killed,  DO  wounded  ; 
native  troops,  29  killed  and  74  wounded.     Total  193. 

Extract  from  General  Smith's  letter  :  — 

"  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross,  our  chief  engineer,  has  great  merit. 
Our  works  were  carried  on  with  spirit,  security  and  judgment, 
and  the  officers  of  the  highest  rank  in  this  army  say  they  were 
the  best  they  had  ever  seen  in  this  country  ;  and  I  have  also  the 
pleasure  to  say,  with  justice  to  all  the  officers  and  men  on  this 
expedition,  that  they  have  exerted  themselves  in  the  discharge  of 
their  duty  with  the  utmost  spirit  and  alacrity,  so  as  to  recommend 
them  to  the  favour  of  the  Honourable  Board." 

From  the  17th  to  the  2Tth,  the  engineers  were  employed  in  sur- 
veying and  levelling  the  trenches,  and  clearing  away  the  passage 
over  the  ditch  ;  and  on  the  latter  date  Lieu  tenant- Colonel  Ross 
sent  in  a  letter  with  survey  of  attack  of  Tanjore. 

Engineer    officers    p:esent     at    Tanjore     1778: — Lieutenant- 


1773-74.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  l25 

Colonel  Ross,  Captains  Campbell  and  Maule,  Lieutenants 
Mitchell  and  Dugood,  and  Assistant-Engineer  Lieutenant 
Geils. 

Lieutenant  G.  L.  Wittever,  Engineers,  died  1 1th  June  1773. 

By  11th  October,  army  had  reached  Trivellore,  fourteen 
miles  from  Negapatam,  and  about  21st  October  they  took 
possession  of  Nagore,  and  the  troops  cantoned  there  on  27th. 

On  12th  November,  General  Smith  returned  from  the  army, 
and  took  his  seat  at  the  Board.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross 
accompanied  the  army  to  Nagore,  and  made  a  survey  of  the  place. 

While  'I'anjore  was  being  besieged,  the  Dutch  at  Negapatam 
took  possession  of  Nagore,  a  seaport  of  Tanjore. 

The  Nabob  asked  for  assistance  to  expel  the  Dutch.  The 
Presidency  were  unwilling  at  first  to  give  it,  as  it  might  be  con- 
sidered a  violation  of  treaties  between  English  and  Dutch. 
However,  Sir  Robert  Harland,  H.M.'s  plenipotentiary,  approved 
of  assistance  being  given,  and  our  troops  at  length  marched.  The 
Nabob's  troops  were  placed  in  front,  and  those  of  the  Company's 
were  only  to  assist  in  case  of  necessity,  so  as  to  seem  not  to  have 
acted  against  the  Dutch.  The  Dutch,  however,  relinquished  the 
territory  and  town  of  Nagore,  upon  the  Nabob  replacing  the 
money  paid  by  them  to  the  Raja. 

Captains  Pittman  and  Stevens  were  during  this  year  employed 
on  the  survey  of  the  Northern  Circars  ;  Captain  Pittman 
working  from  Vizagapatam  south,  and  Captain  Stevens  north 
from  Masulipatam. 

In  March  1774,  Major  Mitchell  resigned;  Captain  Stevens 
was  promoted  to  Major,  Lieutenant  Alexander  Mitchell  to 
Captain,  John  Theobald  to  Lieutenant,  and  James  Johnson  and 
George  Banks  to  Ensigns. 

In  October,  Ensign  John  Munro  was  appointed  to  act  as 
engineer  at  Ganjam. 

Up  to  this  time  it  appears  that  the  Chief  engineer  had  the 
privilege  of  corresponding  with  the  Court  of  Directors,  but  on 


126  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1775. 

the  13th  September  he   was  ordered  only  to   do  so  through  the 
President  and  Council. 

General  Smith,  in  April  recommended  that  a  corps  of  guides 
should  be  raised  to  survey  roads  and  passes  in  the  Carnatic, 
and  Lieutenant  Geils  was  appointed  to  command  it. 

The  dispute  about  the  rank  of  the  engineers  still  continued. 
The  Board  said — "  We  are  ordered  to  give  rank  in  the  army  to 
the  Corps  of  Engineers,  agreeably  to  the  dates  of  tlieir  com- 
missions, in  the  same  manner  as  the  Corps  of  Engineers  in 
H.M.'s  army,  but  that  they  shall  rise  only  in  their  ranks  in  their 
own  corps." 

Lieutenant- General  Clavering,  of  Bengal,  was  asked  for  his 
opinion. 

On  18th  February  1  775,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross  received  a 
letter  from  Lieutenant  Colonel  Lillyman,  of  Corps  of  Engineers 
at  Calcutta,  saying  that  General  Clavering  had  issued  orders  for 
the  Engineers  to  take  rank  with  the  array  generally,  according 
to  the  dates  of  their  commissions. 

On  28th  March  17  75,  St.  Thomas'  Mount  was  first  fixed  on 
as  a  station  for  the  Artillery.  "  The  Board  are  concerned  to 
learn  that  the  Company's  Artillery  cannot  be  located  at 
Tripamadore.  General  Smith  to  consult  with  Colonel  James 
(Principal  Artillery  OiEcer)  on  the  properest  place  at  the  Mount 
for  erecting  sheds  for  them."  The  Chief  Engineer,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Ross,  with  the  officers  of  Artillery,  selected  the  spot  for  the 
Artillery  bungalows,  and  on  25th  April  the  former  sent  in  a  plan. 

In  August,  the  Chief  Engineer  made  a  complaint  against 
Captain  Dugood,  of  the  Engineers*;  a  Board  assembled  to 
enquire  into  it,  and  the  result  was  that  Captain  Dugood  was 
placed  under  arrest  and  brought  before  a  general  court-martial 
on  the  following  charges  : — 
]st.  Neglect  of  duty. 

*  Dugood  was  appointed  Captain ;  James  Johnson  Lieutenant ;  and  W.  Gent 
Enaign  in  room  of  Captain  Pittman,  who  died  March  1775. 


Sea  7c      JPOftf  to  J  /r,ch 


177S.  MADBAS    ENGINEERS.  127 

2nd.  For   having    observed     a    conduut    aud    couversation 
tending  to   the  prejudice   of  good  order   and  military 
discipline. 
3rd.  For   having   attempted,    by    means    unbecoming    the 
character  of  an  officer  and  gentleman,  to    injure    the 
character    of    Lieutenant-Colonel     Ross,    particularly 
in  a  representation  to  the  Honourable  the  Governor  in 
Council. 
We    learn    later   on   that   Captain   Dugood   was   found  "  Not 
guilty  "  of  any  of  the  instances  of  the  charge. 

The  Chief  Engineer  recommended  that  a  bound  hedge  should 
be  made  round  Madras,  from  St.  Thome  to  the  north  of  Black 
Town,  composed  of  palmirahs,  bamboos,  calderas,  milk  hedge, 
prickly  thorn,  &c.,  and  he  was  directed  to  mark  it  out  at  once. 

Ihis  year  a  great  deal  of  work  appears  to  have  been  done 
to  the  fort.  In  fact,  it  was  about  this  period  that  Fort  St. 
George  took  its  present  form.  The  works  seem  to  have  been 
pushed  forward  with  considerable  vigour.  In  April,  the  average 
number  of  people  employed  on  the  works  was  2,700,  and  by  the 
middle  of  June  the  number  had  risen  to  nearly  3,200.  The 
works  were  continued  tliroughout  the  year,  but  the  numbers  of 
those  employed  gradually  diminished,  so  that  in  December  only 
1,800  were  engaged  on  it. 

In  July  of  this  year  it  is  mentioned  in  the  records  that  the 
Chief  Engineer  inspected  Captain  Baker's  wells  north  of  Black 
Town.  The  wells  here  alluded  to  are  those  now  named  "  Seven 
Wells  "  and  used  for  supply  of  fort. 

In  October,  memorials  of  held  officers  of  Artillery,  and 
Engineers  were  sent  to  the  Commander  in- Chief,  and  forwarded 
to  the  Board,  also  a  letter  from  Colonel  Ross,  and  Major  Stevens, 
stating — 

"  That,  owing  to  insufficiency  of  establishment,  it  is  not 
possible  to  conduct  their  business,  particularly  in  time 
of   war,    therefore  they    state    that    sixteen    assistant 


128  MILITAKY    HISTOEY    OF    THE  [1775 

engineers  are  necessary  for  the  requirements  of  the 
service." 

On  1 1  th  April  this  year,  Lord  Pigot,  the  Governor, 
restored  Tanjore  to  the  Rajah,  in  accordance  with  the  orders  of 
the  Court  of  Directors,  in  spite  of  the  intrigues  of  the  Nabob  and 
others  to  prevent  it. 

The  Mr.  Paul  Benfield,  wlio  was  so  notorious  in  connection 
with  the  affairs  of  Tanjore,  was  the  same  man  who  was  on  the 
engineer  establishment  when  Colonel  Call  was  Chief  Engineer, 
After  the  appointment  of  Lieutenant- Colonel  Ross  and  the 
military  establishment,  he  undertook  a  large  quantity  of  work  on 
contract.  Mr.  Burke,  in  February  1875,  in  his  celebrated  speech, 
consigned  Benfield  and  others  to  everlasting  infamy,  but  in  spite 
of  this,  the  result  was  that  sixty  lacs  of  rupees  were  secured  to 
Benfield. 

Marshman,  in  his  History  of  India,  states  that  Benfield 
"  occupied  an  inferior  post  not  worth  more  than  200  or  300 
rupees  a  month."  The  case  is  not  so.  Benfield  was  apparently 
allowed  to  contract  on  a  large  scale,  and  he  undertook  the  works 
of  Furt  St.  George  in  1775,  1770,  and  1777.  The  Chief 
Engineer  gives  the  amount  of  work  done  by  Mr.  Benfield  under 
his  contracts  in  those  years  as  603,857  pagodas;  equal  to  twenty- 
one  lacs  of  rupees. 

In  January  this  year,  the  Chief  Engineer  remonstrated  against 
the  appointment  of  a  junior  oflBcer  to  command  the  garrison  of 
Fort  St.  George.  The  Board  informed  him  that  "  he  would 
have  been  appointed  to  command,  but  his  services  would  have 
been  wanted  shortly  elsewhere,  and  Major  Burghall  '  (apparently 
of  Bengal  Engineers,  doing  duty  at  Madras),  "  next  in  rank,  was 
wanted  at  Trichinopoly,  to  which  place  he  had  been  ordered  to 
proceed." 

This  year,  the  fortifications  of  Vellum  were  destroyed  by 
mining.  The  mines  were  sprung,  and  the  work  concluded,  on 
28th  April. 


1777-78.]  MADKAS    ENGINEERS.  129 

In  July  the  Chief  Engineer  complained  to  the  Board  of  the 
hardship  of  serving  under  Colonel  Braithwaite.  The  Board 
replied  that  "  the  engineers  are  not  under  the  immediate 
command  of  officers  of  the  garrison." 

On  22nd  August,  Lieutenant- Colonel  Cosby  was  appointed 
to  command  three  battalions  at  Sholingur,  eight  coss  north  of 
Arcot.  Captain  Miinle  accompanied  him  as  engineer,  and 
Lieutenant  Priugle,  as  captain  of  Guides. 

Ensign  Digby  Brooke  was  also  ordered  on  this  service,  but  his 
appointment  was  cancelled  at  the  request  of  the  Chief  Engineer. 

Tins  force  was  intended,  in  conjunction  with  the  troops  of  the 
Calastry  and  Vencatagherry  Rajahs,  to  take  the  field  against 
Bom  Rauze,  a  Rajah  of  the  first  consideration. 

"  This  extensive  tract  of  country  had  never  yet  been  pene- 
trated with  tlie  least  success  by  an  enemy,  and  from  its  peculiar 
advantages  (its  capital  being  in  the  midst  of  hills  and  ravines) 
had  deterred  any  serious  hostile  attacks  even  from  Hyder,  or  the 
Mahrattas  ;  nor  were  batteries  mounted  with  cannon  wanting  to 
complete  its  defence,  or  a  large  force  well  disposed  to  avail 
themselves  of  these  advantages  ;  yet  such  was  the  superiority  of 
the  English,  and  the  art  of  tactics  brought  into  use,  that,  by 
diverting  their  attention,  and  turning  their  flanks,  while  other 
forces  were  making  more  serious  attacks  on  their  prijicipal 
barriers,  they  were  driven  from  one  to  the  other,  till  the  English 
gained  such  a  footing  in  the  country  as  to  thoroughly  alarm  the 
chiefs.  The  Rajah  was  induced  to  capitulate,  and  allowed 
Cosby  to  take  possession  of  his  capital,  till  everything  was 
finally  adjusted,  and  military  roads  cut  through  the  country. 
The  whole  afi'air  only  took  six  weeks,  and  our  loss  was  small. 
Colonel  Cosby  received  the  thanks  of  Government  for  the 
celerity  with  which  the  work  was  done — which  far  exceeded 
their  expectations." 

In  J  7  78,  the  works  of  Fort  St.  George  were  still  carried 
on,  ab  lUt  1,500  people  being  employed  ;   and  it  was  resolved  to 


180  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [me. 

expend  a  monthly  sum  of  half  a  lac  of  rupees  on  the 
works, 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Koss,  on  6th  March,  wrote  that  "  when 
the  works  now  in  hand  are  complete,  Fort  St.  George  will  be  an 
entirely  new  place — except  the  finished  part  of  the  north  front, 
chiefly  executed  under  Colonel  John  Call." 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross  now  went  on  leave  to  England,  and 
Major  Stevens  took  up  his  duties.* 

In  June   1778,  news  was  received  of  war  with  France. 

On  80th  July,  Colonel  Braithwaite  was  ordered  to  march 
from  VVandiwash  towards  Pondicherry,  and  halt  one  day's  march 
distant  for  orders. 

On  3rd  August,  Major-General  Hector  Munro  was  to  take 
command  of  the  army,  march  to  Pondicherry,  and  summon  the 
place. t 

On  the  8th,  Munro  was  at  the  Red  Hills,  near  Pondicherry 
(four  miles j. 

By  the  20th,  the  force  on  the  Red  Hills  was  reinforced;  and 
on  the  21st,  possession  was  taken  of  the  Bound  Hedge. 
Redoubts  were  raised,  and  every  preparation  made  to  open  the 
trenches  as  soon  as  possible. 

On  31st  August,  a  close  reconnaissance  was  made,  and  it  was 
resolved  to  carry  on  two  attacks ;  one  to  the  north,  against  the 
North-west  bastion  ;  the  other  to  the  south,  against  the  Dauphin 
bastion,  and  a  battery  was  commenced  on  the  south-west  to 
enfilade  the  works  with  four  24-pounders,  and  some  mortars. 

Notwithstanding  that  the  enemy  fired  continually  on  this 
work,  the  battery  was  completed  on  4th  September. 


*  Simon  Stuart  and  Charles  Salmon  appointed  Practitioner-Engineers  ;  Salmon 
to  rank  below  Ensign  Bellasis. 

t  Major  George  Burghall,  Director  of  Engineers,  set  off  with  the  anny.  On 
17th  August  Major  Stevens  (amved  with  three  captains  of  engineers  and  other 
officers  of  the  corps)  took  charge  of  the  operations,  and  Major  Burghall  was 
allowed  to  go,  and  resign  the  service 


1778.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  131 

On  the  6th,  ground  was  broken  to  the  north,  and  in  the  night 
a  parallel  was  made  within  600  yards  of  the  town. 

On  the  7th,  an  enfilading  battery  was  erected  to  the  north  west, 
containing  four  lii-pounders. 

On  the  8th,  an  approach  was  made  from  Ariancopang  river, 
and  carried  within  400  yards,  where  a  parallel  was  formed. 

On  the  11th,  a  battery  of  ten  24 -pounders  was  begun  to  the 
southward;  and  on  the  14th,  another,  for  ten  18-pounders,  was 
commenced  to  tlie  north,  several  mortars  were  also  placed  in  both 
attacks;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  18th  all  the  batteries* 
opened. 

The  fire  from  the  fort  was  very  heavy,  but  towards  evening 
our  batteries  had  apparently  the  advantage. 

On  the  24th,  a  magazine  in  one  of  our  batteries  blew  up. 
Meantime  our  other  batteries  kept  up  a  heavy  fire,  and  a  breach 
was  beginning  to  be  made  in  the  angle  of  one  of  the  bastions. 
The  approaches  both  on  north  and  south  attacks  were  carried 
forward  as  quickly  as  possible,  new  batteries  were  erected  as  the 
approaches  advanced,  and  by  (jth  October  the  state  of  our 
attack  was  as  follows : — 

"  On  south  attack,  our  lodgments  were  extended  between 
the  two  djtches,  and  a  passage  to  the  counterscarp  of  the  inner 
ditch  was  about  to  be  commenced." 

"  On  north  attack,  we  had  formed  a  lodgment  on  the  crest 
of  the  glacis,  embracing  the  angle  opposite  the  bastion 
attacked,  and  batteries  had  been  erected  to  take  off  the  defences 
of  those  works  that  flank  the  said  bastion." 

Heavy  rain  and  want  of  tools  retarded  the  operations  very 
much,  for  General  Munro  writes  : — "  Though  the  rains  retarded 
our  operations,  yet  the  reduction  of  Pondicherry  would  have 
taken  place  much  sooner  had  we  been  provided  with  cannon, 
stores,  (fcc,  sooner  than  we  were  ;  for  though  the  army  began  to 

*  Twenty-eight  guns  aud  twenty-five  mortar«. 


132  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1778. 

assemble  near  tlie  fortress  on  8th  August,  it  was  not  till 
6th  September  that  the  engineer  would  give  directions  for 
breaking  ground,  for  want  of  proper  tools  to  carry  on  the 
approaches." 

"Powder  shamefully  bad,  part  of  it  condemned  four  years 
ago." 

"  On  7th  and  8th  October,  the  works,  both  on  north  and  east 
attacks,  were  advanced." 

"  9  th. — A  new  approach  was  carried  on  to  the  north,  towards 
the  salient  angle  of  the  ravelin,  near  the  bastion  attacked,  in 
the  south  attack,  the  gallery  was  much  retarded  by  the  violent 
rains,  which  did  damage  to  the  trenches." 

"On  the  1 1th,  the  sap  battery  to  the  north  was  so  damaged 
by  rain,  and  by  the  enemy's  fire  from  St.  Joseph's  bastion, 
that  we  were  obliged  to  mask  it.  The  gallery  to  the  south  was 
advanced  very  near  the  ditch." 

"  12th  and  13th. — Thebatteriesin  the  north  attack  were  repaired, 
and  the  gallery  to  the  south  advanced  to  the  ditch  ;  but  the 
violent  rain  so  sw^elled  the  water  in  the  ditch,  that  it  ran 
into  the  gallery  with  such  force  that  it  seemed  likely  to 
destroy  it." 

"  14th. — The  bridge  of  boats  that  was  intended  to  be  used  for 
the  passage  of  the  ditch  on  the  south  attack  being  completed, 
and  a  float  being  prepared  for  the  same  purpose  to  the  north,  it 
was  intended  to  assault  the  place  about  3  a.m.,  15th  ;  but  about 
11  A.M.  on  the  14th  the  water  forced  itself  into  the  gallery  with 
such  violence,  that  it  broke  it  down,  and  damaged  some  of  the 
boats.  The  face  of  the  bastion  attached  to  the  south,  was 
entirely  destroyed,  and  the  faces  of  the  adjacent  bastions  almost 
as  bad.     The  face  of  the  North-west  bastion  was  also  in  ruins." 

"  Major  Stevens,  the  Chief  Engineer,  went  immediately  to  give 
directions  to  repair  the  gallery,  and  on  his  return  to  the  south- 
west enfilading  battery,  he  was  unfortunately  wounded  by  a 
cannon-ball,    and   died    the     same    evening."     General    Munro 


1778.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  133 

wrote : — "  In  him  society  has  lost  an  honest  man,  and  the  Com- 
pany a  most  vahiable  and  gallant  soldier." 

"Though  the  assault  could  not  take  place,  an  attack  was 
made  on  ravelin  to  the  north  about  2  a.m.  The  ravelin  was 
surprised,  and  the  enemy's  party  of  twenty-two  Europeans  mostly 
killed,  wounded,  or  taken  prisoners,  and  we  spiked  four  cannons 
and  four  mortars,  and  destroyed  a  good  many  arms,  and  a 
quantity  of  ammunition." 

"  By  the  16th,  the  gallery  was  repaired,  and  it  was  resolved  to 
assault  the  place  next  morning,  and  the  necessary  orders  were 
to  have  been  given  to  the  troops  in  the  evening ;  but  about 
II  A.M.  Monsieur  de  Velette,  Aide-de-Camp  to  General  Belle- 
combe,  come  with  a  flag  of  truce  from  the  Fort,  with  a  letter  for 
General  Munro,  to  treat  regarding  capitulation.  General  Belle- 
corabe  agreed  to  deliver  up  Pondicherry  at  noon  on  the  19th. 

"  The  French  made  a  most  gallant  defence ;  indeed,  the 
greatest  gallantry  has  been  displayed  on  both  sides." 

"  The  garrison  became  prisoners  of  war,  but  the  colours  of  the 
Battalion  de  ITnde  were  restored  to  it,  in  compliment  to  the 
gallant  conduct  of  that  Corps.  The  colours  of  the  Fort  were 
sent  home  with  the  despatches  to  the  King." 

General  Munro  in  his  final  despatch  says  : — 

"  In  justice  to  the  troops,  I  inform  you  that  officers  and  men 
paid  the  greatest  attention  to  their  duty,  and  on  every  occasion 
showed  a  spirit  and  resolution  that  will  always  do  them  the 
greatest  honour." 

Return  of  killed  and  wounded  since  commencement  of  the 
siege : — 

Killed.  Wounded. 
Artillery  and  Engineers           ...          19  73 

European  Infantry       ...  ...  48  120 

Sepovs  155  491 


22^       +       (;cS.l  =  906 


Also  10  of  the  Nabob's  troops. 


134 


MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


[8771. 


Eight  ofl&cers  were  killed  and  26  wounded. 

Of  the  Engineers  : — 

Major  Stevens,  Chief  Engineer,  killed. 
Captain  James  Johnstone,  wounded. 

Of  the  Artillery  : — 

Captain  Augustus  de  Morgan,  killed. 
Lieutenant- Fireworker  John  Baillie,  wounded. 
„  „  Hugh  Mallet,        „ 

,,  ,,  George  Saxon,     ,, 

Of  European  Infantry: — 
1  Captain  killed. 

1  ,,        wounded. 

5  Lieutenants  wounded. 

2  Ensigns  wounded. 

Of  Sepoy  Officers  : — 

2  Lieutenants  killed 

3  Ensigns  killed. 

3  Captains  wounded. 

5  Lieutenants  wounded. 

6  Ensigns  wounded. 

The  garrison  of  Pondicherry  lost  680  killed  and  wounded. 


European  Officers 
„         Infantry 
„         Artillery 

Citizens 

Sepoys  ... 

Native  Workmen 


The  Engineer  officers  present  were — 

Major    Stevens ;     Captains     Maule,     Theohald,    Johnstone  ; 
Ensigns  Gent,  Digby  Brooke,  Thomas  Bellasis,  and  Salmon. 


Killed. 

Wounded. 

7 

19 

46 

143 

29 

69 

3 

7 

52 

94 

64 

148 

200 

-f       480=680 

PLAN  Ol-'  THE 

FOET    OF    PONDICHEEY, 


MAJOK-GENEEAL  HECTOE  MDNEO, 

Is    8EITEMBER   ASP   OCTOBER.    177ft. 


REFEBENCER. 


A.  St.  Laoi-ent  Bastion. 

B.  Little  Ba,tter\'. 

C.  Goudelom- Bastion. 

D.  Hospital  IJustiou. 

\:rllifrii   Art/irl; 

E.  La  Reine  Bastion. 

F.  ViUenour  Bastion. 

G.  Sauspem-  Bastion. 

■i.  Four  Gnus  Batterv. 

H.  Valdaour  Bastion. 

I.  St.  Joseph  Baatiou. 

•1.  Siip  BattLTv  of  Eiijlit  Guns. 

K.  Noi-th-west  Bastion. 

."..  Twi.  Guns   Battery  for  tiring 

L.  Miirlras  Bastion. 

upon    the     Jlrill'im,    French 

M.  IJi-1l-!iiis  Bastion. 

ship,  in  tlie  Roads. 

N.    \u]:'U  Bastion. 

li.  Redoubt. 

1 ).  Mockades. 

7.  Entiladiug  Battery,  four  12-pra. 

H.  Comera  Battery  of  Four  Guns. 

Q.  Madras  Gate. 

'.1.  Battery  of  one  Gun    in    the 

R.  \aWaoui-  Gate. 

S.  Villc-uourGate. 

T.  Goudelour  Gate. 

\  .  Government  House. 

TI.  Bu,naeks. 

W.  PriHOu. 

X.  Masaziuo, 

10.  Fletcher  Battery. 

Y.  Arsenal    and   Artillery   Bar- 

11.  Mortar  Batterv. 

12.  Eight  Guns  Battery. 

13.  Four  Guns  Battery. 

A.  Engineers'  Houae. 

AA.  Hospital. 

BB-  Powder  Magazine. 

CC.  Betel  Go.loivu. 

DD.  Bazar. 

Scale-      €/-'      Ycbrd'S-  - 


m8-79.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  135 

Captain  Geils  also  served  as  engineer,  and  distinguished 
himself. 

On  7th  December,  Captain  George  Maule  forwarded  to  General 
Munro  a  return  of  engineers  as  "  Commandant,  which  had 
devolved  on  him  by  recent  loss  of  a  member  of  the  corps  whose 
zeal  for  the  Company's  interest  and  ability  in  conducting  his 
duties  will  find,  I  am  convinced,  testimony  in  your  remem- 
brances." 

Major  Stevens'  executor  wrote  to  ask  some  assistance  for 
Major  Stevens'  family,  who  were  in  narrow  circumstances,  and 
received  the  following  reply : — "  The  Committee  have  a  thorough 
sense  of  the  great  merit  possessed  by  the  late  Major  Stevens, 
and  will  most  cheerfully  recommend  the  situation  of  his  family 
to  the  Company,  in  hopes  that  they  will  confer  on  them  some 
mark  of  their  favour" 

Captain  Maule  recommended  "  Mr.  Wickens  for  the  Engi- 
neers, as  also  Ensigns  Brunton,  Marishall,  and  Gordon,  who 
served  as  engineers  at  the  siege  ;  likewise  Mr.  Galway,  who  draws 
well  and  otherwise  qualified." 

On  1 0th  December  1778,  Ensign  Alexander  Beatson  was 
appointed  Acting  Engineer  at  Masulipatam ;  and  Ensigns  Mari- 
shall, Brunton,  Galway,  and  Wickens,  Assistant  Engineers 

Pondicherry  having  been  taken,  it  was  resolved  to  send  an 
expedition  against  Mahe,  a  settlement  of  the  French  a  few  miles 
south  of  Tellicherry  on  western  coast. 

The  force  was  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Braithwaite, 
and  consisted  of  two  European  battalions,  three  Native 
regiments,  three  companies  of  Artillery,  besides  engineers  and 
pioneers. 

On  28th  February  1779,  the  last  division  of  the  army  reached 
Anjengo  in  Travancore,  having  marched,  it  is  presumed,  from 
Trichinopoly  to  Madura,  and  thence  through  the  Arriangow 
pass  into  Travancore.  The  embarkation  was  completed  on  2nd 
March. 


136  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [m9. 

Our  fleet  oonsisted  of  the 

Sea  Horse,  Commodore  Parton. 

Cocentry. 

Revenge. 

Resolution. 

Royal  Charlotte. 

With   a  prize  sloop   of  the  navy  as  a  hospital   ship,  and   trans- 
ports. 

On  the  march  to  Anjenjo  we  lost  five  Europeans  by  death, 
and  about  fifty  sepoys  by  death  and  desertion, 

Colonel  Braithwaite  arrived  at  Mahe  on  14th  March  and 
found  thai  Major  Kelly,  who  was  Acting  Chief  Engineer  (he 
belonged  to  Artillery),  had  occupied  two  hills  in  our  bounds 
and  was  advancing  into  the  French  bounds. 

"  loth. — A  site  was  selected  for  a  battery  to  reduce  the 
Fort  of  Comachy,  a  new  work  formed  by  the  scarping  of  a  high 
chalk-hill,  and  only  accessible,  either  as  to  the  lower  or  upper 
fort,  by  rope  ladders  which  were  very  long,  and  which  the 
enemy  drew  up  after  them 

"  M.  Picot,  the  Governor,  was  summoned,  who  answered  that 
he  would  defend  the  place  ;  so  the  bnttery  was  pushed  on  with 
alacrity.  It  was  within  500  yards  of  the  enemy's  guns.  The 
French  fired  a  few  guns  from  Fort  St.  George,  and  Chimbun, 
but  without  effect  Our  battery  would  have  opened  on  the 
20th  with  four  18-pounders,  but  on  the  19th  M  Picot  sent  out 
proposals  to  surrender,  which  very  much  astonished  Colonel 
Braithwaite."  "  He  informed  M.  Picot  that  Fort  Comachy 
should  be  immediately  surrendered,  and  our  colours  hoisted  as  a 
signal;  this  was  done,  and  at  2  p.m.  on  the  19th,  Captain 
McLeod  with  sepoy  grenadiers  took  possession  of  it,  and  next 
day  Fort  St.  George,  and  (Jhimbun  were  occupied,  and  the  same 
evening  Forts  Mahe,  Daupbine,  &c 

"  The    cause    of   this    sudden    surrender    was    want  of  men, 


1779.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  137 

money,  communications,  and  provisions ;  otherwise  the  place 
was  deemed  almost  impregnable,  consisting  of  a  number  of 
forts  on  almost  inaccessible  heights,  strongly  fortified  in  them- 
selves, and  protecting  each  other." 

"We  thus  obtained  Mahe  without  firing  a  single  shot,  not 
even  a  musket,  and  the  French  themselves  only  fired  about 
forty  shots."  "Our  battery  of  four  I8-pounders  was  nearly 
finished  for  attack  of  Fort  Comachy ;  but  if  Mahe  with  its 
forts  had  been  defended,  it  would  have  been  a  difficult  task  to 
capture  it.  The  discontent  of  the  surrounding  Nairs  with 
Hvder's  government  was  the  cause  of  its  surrender." 

The  engineers  employed  on  this  expedition  were — 

Major  Kellv   (Artilh;ry),  Acting  Chief  Engineer. 
Ensign  Digby  Brooke,  Engineer. 

,,        Bellasis,  „ 

„        Dundas 

„        Machlin 

„        McFarrand 

„        Marishall 

„        Hay 
Gordon 


Assistant  Engineers. 


Pioneer  Officers : — 
Lieutenant  Abbott. 

,,  Johnson. 

Ensign  Francis  Baillie. 
,,       Bannerman. 
,,       Mullock. 

It  was  determined  to  destroy  all  the  forts;  and  for  this  pur- 
pose Ensign  Digby  Brooke,  two  pioneer  ofiBcers,  and  one 
hundred  pioneers,  were  retained  to  do  the  work.  Major  Kelly 
with  the  other  engineers  and  pioneers  were  sent  back.  Every- 
thing had  been  done  that  art  could  do  to  add  to  the  natural 
strength  of  the  environs  of  Mahe,  and  had  reinforcements 
arrived,  Mahe  would  have  required  a  very   large  force  to  reduce 


138  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1779. 

it;  but  the  French  could  place  no  faith  in  their  allies.  Mahe 
was  extremely  well-found  in  artillery  and  stores,  for  there  were 
more  than  100  pieces  of  cannon  all  in  excellent  condition. 

Hyder  was  furious  at  its  capture,  as  through  the  place  Hyder 
was  enabled  to  get  a  large  quantity  of  European  stores,  and 
reinforcements  of  Frenchmen.  To  this  is  partially  attributed 
his  onslaught  on  the  Carnatic  iu  1780.  Colonel  Braithwaite 
speaks  highly  of  Major  Kelly,  and  expresses  his  "approbation 
of  Major  Kelly's  merits,  I  found  he  had  been  very  active  before 
my  arrival,  and  his  exertions  have  since  been  unremitted."  The 
mines  for  the  destruction  of  the  forts  were  carried  on  under 
Lieutenant  Brooke,  and  the  first  explosion  took  place  on  His 
Majesty's  birthday,  when  the  whole  sea- face  of  ^lahe  was  blown 
up  ;  and  by  September  the  several  forts  and  works  of  this  colony, 
which  had  lately  been  put  in  order  by  the  French,  were  in  ruins. 
Towards  the  close  of  the  work,  Lieutenant  Digby  Brooke  of  the 
Engineers  was  killed  by  the  explosion  of  one  of  the  mines.  At 
this  time,  Captain  Geils  was  engaged  in  destroying  the  works  at 
Pondicherrv,  and  by  the  end  of  October  the  work  of  destruction 
was  complete. 

Sir  Hector  Munro,  early  in  1779,  recommended  Captain 
Geils  very  strongly  for  his  conduct  at  the  siege  of  Pondicherry, 
and  asks  that  he  should  be  appointed  Field  Engineer  with  the 
rank  of  Major. 

The  Board  accordingly  appointed  him  Field  Engineer  on  the 
coast  with  the  allowances  of  Major,  but  did  not  see  their  way 
to  give  him  the  rank.  Colonel  Baillie  (so  unfortunate  in  1780) 
was  commanding  at  Pondicherry  during  the  progress  of  demoli- 
tion. 

In  March  1779,  the  works  planned  for  the  defence  of  the  sea- 
face  of  Fort  St.  George,  Madras,  were  constructed  in  accordance 
with  Major  Maule's  proposals  of  the  previous  December,  with  a 
line  of  cisterns  along  the  east  curtain. 

In  consequence  of  an   order  passed  by  the  Board  regarding 


1779.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  139 

allowances  drawn  by  the  engineers,  Major  Maule  ( Acting  Chief 
Engineer)  addressed  a  remonstrance  to  the  Board  : — 

"  The  Corps  of  Engineers  being  on  an  inferior  footing  as  to 
emoluments,  with  all  others  in  the  array,  not  enjoying  alike  with 
them  off  reckonings,  &c.,  the  indulgence  of  full  batta  to  all 
engineers  doing  duty  out  of  Madras,  Masulipatam,  Cuddalore, 
and  other  chiefships,  has  been  for  several  years  past  granted  to 
them  in  consideration  of  such  deficiency.  The  cause  for  this 
indulgence  still  remaining,  I  hope  you  will  be  pleased  to  see  the 
matter  in  the  same  point  of  view,  and  continue  the  only  allow- 
ance that  can  bring  the  Corps  of  Engineers  nearly  upon  a 
footing  with  the  other  officers  of  your  army." 

Full  batta  appears  first  to  have  been  granted  to  tlie  engineers 
in  1771,  at  the  first  siege  of  Tanjore. 


140  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Banks  and  Bonneveaux  taken  prisoners  by  the  Mahi-attas. — Movements  of  the 
EngUsh  fleet  under  Rodney  in  1780. — Combined  French  and  Spanish  fleets. 
— Rodney  reinforced,  but  combined  fleets  had  left  for  Europe. — Simon 
Stewart  and  Mr.  W.  Rylands,  of  Engineers,  made  prisoners. — Colonel  Baillie. 
— Corps  of  Engineers  in  1780. — Hyder  All  descends  hito  the  Camatic. — 
Baillie's  defeat. — Munro  retreats  to  Marmelong. 

It  was  in  1778,  that  we  declared  war  against  France  to  show  our 
resentment  for  their  having  acknowledged  the  independence  of 
the  colonies  under  the  title  of  United  States,  hut  it  was  not  till 
the  spring  of  1779,  that  Spain  united  her  forces  with  France 
against  us. 

The  Spaniards  declared  war  on  18th  June  1779.  Captain 
Bonneveaux,  Infantry,  and  Lieutenant  Banks,  Engineers,  were 
entrusted  with  a  packet  of  papers,  the  chief  purport  of  which 
was  to  inform  the  authorities  at  Bomhay,  Madras,  and  Calcutta 
of  the  Spanish  declaration  of  war.  They  were  ordered  to  travel 
across  the  Arabian  Desert,  and  so  to  India.  On  the  10th  July, 
they  left  London  for  Harwich.  Across  the  Continent  they 
travelled  in  Bonneveaux's  "  own  town  chariot  turned  into  a  post- 
chaise  "  as  far  as  Venice,  where  they  embarked.  They  narrowly 
escaped  a  cruiser  in  the  Mediterranean,  and  arrived  at  Aleppo 
on  24th   August.     Twelve   days'  march  from  Aleppo,  they  were 


1779.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  Ill 

attacked  iu  the  desert  by  a  party  of  robbers,  three  times  their 
number.  They  had  the  good  fortune  to  beat  off  their  assailants ; 
but  lost  twenty-two  camels,  and  fourteen  of  their  men  were 
wounded,  including  Bunneveaux  himself  (in  two  places,  with 
a  fracture  of  the  skull).  Bussora  was  reached  on  4th  October, 
Bonaeveaux  arriving  in  a  very  bad  state  of  health  owing  to  his 
wounds.  After  a  stay  of  a  week,  at  this  place,  they  engaged  a 
"  dongee  boat  "  to  take  them  from  the  Persian  Gulf  to  Muscat. 
At  the  latter  town,  they  changed  into  another  boat,  the  owner  of 
which  engaged  to  take  them  to  Bombay  for  1,100  rupees. 
Unfortunately  on  2ud  December  1779,  when  about  two  days' 
sail  from  Bombay,  they  were  captured  by  a  Mahratta  fleet. 
This  fleet  consisted  of  two  "  grabs,"  each  mounting  twenty 
12  and  18  pounders,  and  three  armed  boats  with  300  or  400  men 
on  board  them.  Kesistauce  was  out  of  the  question,  as  their 
boat  was  merely  armed  with  four  3-pounders  without  the  imple- 
ments necessary  to  work  them. 

The  Mahratta  chief  promised  to  send  them  in  one  of  his  boats 
to  Bombay  without  baggage  for  2,000  rupees,  to  be  paid  on 
arrival ;  but  after  he  had  got  them  in  his  possession,  he  thought 
no  more  of  his  promise.  Thus  it  happened,  that  the  papers 
entrusted  to  them  were  not  thrown  overboard  at  the  time,  and 
after  capture  they  were  too  closely  watched  to  do  it.  They 
were  taken  otf  Bancoote  (Fort  Victoria),  some  seventy  or  eighty 
miles  south  of  Bombay,  and  carried  into  Viziadroog  three  days 
after,  where  they  were  stripped  of  everything  and  very  badly 
treated.  This,  it  appears,  was  greatly  due  to  the  villainy  of  an 
English  deserter  named  Charles  Constantino,  living  there,  who, 
pretending  to  offer  assistance,  was,  by  his  intrigues  with  Abba 
Saib,  the  Mahratta  chief,  the  cause  of  their  detention.  He 
broke  open  all  the  letters,  and  by  false  translation  insinuated 
that  their  business  was  of  the  greatest  importance,  and  detri- 
mental to  the  interests  of  the  Mahrattas,  Finding  also,  that 
Bonneveaux  iiad  bonds   upon   the   Mabob   ^Carnaiic)  to   a  large 


142  MILITARY    HISTORY    OP    THE  [177^60. 

amount,  he  secured  them  with  their  seals,  and  got  them  sent  out 
of  the  way  to  a  fort  called  Russaulghur,  in  hopes  of  carrying 
some  plan  into  execution  to  his  interest  by  "  countersigning  our 
signatures."  Russaulghur  is  a  fortress  in  the  Concan  close  to 
the  Western  Ghauts,  latitude  17°  45'  N.,  longtitude  73°  40'  E., 
thirty-four  miles  south-east  of  Fort  Victoria.  They  were 
detained  at  Russaulghur  for  about  three  months,  when  they  were 
sent  to  Pouna.  During  their  detention  at  the  fort,  they 
were  treated  very  badly,  and  had  often  reason  to  believe  that 
the  Alahrattas  intended  to  destroy  them.  It  was  only  after 
reaching  Poona,  and  "  owing  to  another  deserter  named  Thomas 
Barnes  (a  man  very  different  to  Constantine,  and  worthy  every 
mark  of  our  attention  from  his  assiduity  in  serving  us),  that 
we  have  been  acquainted  with  this  wretched  villainy"  {i.e. 
Constantine's). 

They  reached  Poona  on  11th  April  1780.  Hei'e  two  men 
rendered  them  a  great  deal  of  assistance  in  their  troubles.  A 
Captain  Beadle  in  the  service  of  Nizam  Ali,  at  Poona,  on 
business,  and  Monsieur  Warnett  from  France.  The  former  did 
everything  he  could,  and  advanced  them  money  to  the  amount 
of  loo  rupees,  while  the  latter  supplied  them  with  necessaries  to 
make  their  situation  a  little  comfortable,  and  did  his  utmost  with 
the  Government  for  "  our  bettei'raeut,"  but  without  effect,  and 
he  was  finally  forbidden  to  see  them.  When  it  was  represented 
that  Bonneveaux  required  his  medical  assistance,  their  answer 
was,  "  If  we  died  it  was  our  fate." 

On  the  20th  July  1780,  the  Governor  at  Madras  wrote  a 
letter  to  the  Mahratta  Regent,  Nana  Farnavis,  asking  him  to 
release  the  prisoners,  who  consisted  now  of  six  besides  Banks 
and  Bonneveaux.  This  letter  was  sent  by  some  means  to  Banks, 
and  It  was  delivered  to  the  Regent  as  though  it  had  been  sent 
direct  without  his  knowledge.  This  occurred  towards  the  end  of 
October  1780.  It  did  not  produce  any  immediate  effect,  but 
they  formed  "great  liopes  upou  it  from  this  small  circuuisLance 


1780.] 


MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  143 


our  provisions,  which  used  to  be  served  out  all  in  a  lump  the  1st 
of  each  month,  have  not  yet  been  delivered  (12th  November)  ^ 
and  yesterday  our  guardian,  on  delivering  me  the  third  rupee  we 
have  had  this  month  in  lieu  of  it,  told  me  that  Nana  Farnavis 
was  about  doing  something  regarding  us.  I  hoped  it  was  our 
release."  Nothing  was,  however,  done  till  12th  June  1781, 
when,  with  the  exception  of  Bonneveaux,  all  were  released. 
Unfortunately  for  Banks,  the  order  was  countermanded  on  the 
I4th.  He  was  re-captured  twenty-five  miles  from  Poona,  and  on 
the  15th  Bonneveaux  "  had  the  mortification  to  see  him  once  more 
partaker  of  my  misery."  All  the  rest  got  away  to  Goa.  Finding 
Nana  Farnavis  was  so  obstinate  as  to  giving  him  his  liberty, 
Bonneveaux  thought  seriously  of  making  his  escape,  and  to 
enable  him  the  easier  to  efi'ect  this,  he  went  to  a  separate  house, 
and  led  a  retired  life.  On  2oth  August  "  trusting  to  Providence, 
a  pair  of  pistols  and  two  servants,  one  an  Italian  and  the  other 
a  Rajpoot,  I  left  Poona  on  horseback  in  an  Arabian  dress.  I 
steered  various  points  in  the  compass  till  I  arrived  at  Beer  in 
the  Nizam's  country,  from  which  place  I  sent  back  my  European 
with  a  horse  to  bring  Captaiu  Banks."  Beer,  or  rather  Bheer,  is 
the  principal  town  of  a  soiall  hilly  district  in  the  Nizam's 
dominions,  seventy  miles  east  from  Ahmednuggur. 

On  19th  October  I7til  we  find  Bonneveaux  at  Fort  St.  George. 
He  wrote  a  long  account  of  his  trials  to  Lord  Macartney,  the 
Governor,  and  asked  for  "  2,000  pagodas  to  pay  the  sums  I  bor- 
rowed at  Poona,  and  on  my  road,  and  to  aff'ord  me  clothes  and  other 
indispensable  necessaries."  The  Council  in  reply  granted  him  the 
2,000  pagodas,  and  "  are  satisfied  that  he  had  done  everything  in 
his  power  to  save  the  Honourable  Company's  packet  entrusted  to 
his  care,  and  that  his  destroying  them  was  an  act  of  necessity." 
On  16th  February  1780,  he  had  been  put  under  charge  of  Mr. 
Norwing,  a  Portuguese  gentleman,  who  had  the  civility  to  remove 
the  guard  ;  Bonneveaux  took  advantage  of  this  to  redeem  the 
piiviile  Ictieis,  wiiiuh  were  recovered  all  broken  open.    The  public 


144  MILITAKY    HISTOKY    OF    THE 


[1780. 


packet  was  also  recovered  at  Russaulghur  about  the  same  time, 
and  burnt.  Banks  does  not  appear  to  have  got  away  till  the 
early  part  of  1782,  for  it  is  not  till  May  1782  that  he  addressed 
Lord  Macartney  regarding  his  sufferings  and  the  expenses  he 
had  incurred.  In  this  letter  he  states,  "  You  are  well  acquainted 
with  the  natives  of  India,  and  able  to  form  an  opinion  how 
the  unfortunate  European  is  treated.  I  therefore  need  only  say 
that  I  have  experienced  every  ill  from  a  cruel  and  revengeful 
people,  in  stripping  me  of  all  my  things,  giving  me  food  unfit  to 
eat,  and  from  the  rigidness  of  my  prison  during  the  greatest 
part  of  my  captivity  my  constitution  gave  way  to  a  malady  (the 
bloody  flux),  the  effect  of  which,  foi'  want  of  wholesome  neces- 
saries, I  feel  even  at  this  time."  He  asked  for  2,000  pagodas 
and  his  pay  up  to  1st  June  1782,  and  mentioned  that  he  had 
drawn  upon  the  Government  for  4,000  rupees  advanced  to  him 
by  General  Goddard. 

The  Government  granted  him  the  2,000  pagodas,  as  also  his 
bill  for  pay  and  batta,  amounting  to  pagodas  3,400.34.50, 
deducting  4,000  rupees  advanced  him  by  General  Goddard.  He 
was  promoted  to  Captain  from  l4tli  December  1778,  the  date  on 
which  Stevens  was  killed  at  siege  of  Pondicherry. 

In  the  early  part  of  1780,  Rodney  crossed  the  Atlantic,  and 
reached  Barbadoes  in  middle  of  March ;  learnt  that  the  Comte 
de  Guichen  was  off  St.  Lucie,  blocking  up  a  British  squadron  in 
Gros  Islet  bay,  and  at  once  set  off  from  St.  Lucie  with  an 
inferior  force.  De  Guichen,  however,  made  off,  and  sought 
refuge  at  Martinique,  anchoring  in  Port  Eoyal  bay.  However, 
in  April,  Rodney  had  a  battle  with  De  Guichen.  It  was 
indecisive,  owing  to  misconduct  of  some  of  Rodney's  captains. 

Reinforcements  now  came  from  Spain  for  the  enemy  s  fleet, 
got  safe  into  Guadaloupe,  and  there  De  Guichen  joined 
them. 

The  combined  fleets  had  now  thirty-six  sail-of-the-liue,  and 
proceeded  to  Martinique.     Rodney  had   only  seventeen  sail,  and 


1T80.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  145 

fully  expected  them  to  attack  him  He  took  up  a  strong  position 
in  Gros  Islet  bay,  and  waited  for  them,  occupying  himself  in 
assisting  the  Governor  of  St,  Lucie  in  putting  the  isle  in  a  state 
of  defence.  He  expected  reinforcements  from  Europe,  and 
intended  to  attack  when  they  arrived.  The  enemy  unaccountably 
remained  idle  at  Martinique  for  a  month. 

When  Kodney's  reinforcements  arrived,  he  found  that  the 
enemy  had  gone.  De  Guichen  had  left  for  Europe.  In  August 
he  reached  Cadiz,  where  he  united  his  fleet  to  another,  under 
D'Estaing,  which  was  lying  there.  It  was  at  this  time  that 
Lieutenant  Simon  Stewart  and  Ensign  William  Wynne  Ryland, 
of  Madras  Engineers,  were  on  their  way  out  to  India,  on  board 
the  Mount  Stuart  Indiaman,  which,  with  other  vessels,  was 
captured  by  the  combined  Spanish  and  French  fleets  on  9th 
August  1780,  somewhere  near  the  coast  of  Spain.  Stewart  was 
detained  some  months  a  prisoner  in  Spain,  sustaining  the  loss  of 
his  baggage.  Stewart  pursued  his  voyage  "  on  parole,"  from 
Lisbon,  in  a  Portuguese  ship  bound  to  Bombay,  "  which  was 
the  most  direct  and  eligible  mode  I  could  adopt,  in  order  to 
avoid  the  risk  of  being  again  captured."  Stewart  was 
allowed  by  the  Government  a  gratuity  of  300  pagodas  (about 
1,000  rupees). 

Hyland  returned  to  England,  and  procured  his  exchange.  He 
did  not  arrive  in  Madras  till  August  or  September  1782,  when 
he  was  appointed  ensign  from  14th  October  1780. 

On  3rd  November  1779,  Colonel  BaiUie  was  appointed  to 
command  the  force  for  Adoni,  and  on  the  20th  he  took  command 
at  Epperla. 

On  the  2Gth  it  was  at  Ariacopalah. 

Captain  Theobald,  of  Engineers,  was  appointed  engineer  to 
Colonel  Baillie's  detachment;  and  Ensigns  Bruce  and  Wickens, 
assistant  engineers. 

On  5th  December,  Baillie  was  at  Innaconda,  and  on  the  24th 
we  still  find  him  at  that  plucc. 

10 


146  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF   THE  ti78d. 

At  this  time  the  Corps  of  Engineers  consisted  of  the 
following : — 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Patrick  Ross. 

Major  George  Maule    ...  ...  14th  December  1778. 

Captain  John  Theobald  ...  14th  July  1778. 

„       James  Johnstone         ...  15th  August  1778. 

„       George  Banks  ...  14th  December  1778. 

Lieutenant  William  Gent         ...  14th  December  1778. 

Ensign  Simon  Stewart  ..  4th  January  1778. 

„      Thomas  Bellasis  ...  8th  February  1778. 

„      Charles  Salmon  ...  4th  May  1778. 

„      John  Wickens  ...  19th  August  1778. 

„      Francis  Antony  Marteili  18th  January  1780. 

„      Richard  Baker 21st  February  1780. 

„      Bruce.* 

„      Brunton  was  appointed  in  1778. 

It  was  in  July  1780,  that  Hyder  Ali  descended  into  the 
Carnatic,  through  the  Changama  Pass. 

The  forts  at  Trinomally,  Chittapet,  Amee,  Ginjee,  Chillum- 
brum,  Cauverypank,  and  Carangooly,  were  all  given  up  to  him  ; 
and,  in  less  than  a  fortnight,  he  possessed  a  chain  of  our  frontier 
garrisons  that  completely  secured  his  convoys  from  the  Mysore 
country. 

His  cavalry  penetrated  to  the  environs  of  Madras,  while  he 
himself  commenced  the  siege  of  Arcot. 

The  English  formed  a  camp  at  Poonamallee,  under  Lord 
McLeod. 

The  Council  wished  our  army  to  assemble  at  Conjeveram,  but 
Lord  McLeod  represented  how  inadvisable  this  was ;  and  as  the 
Council  insisted  upon  Conjeveram  as  the  place  of  rendezvous, 
Lord  McLeod  resigned  the  command,  and  Sir  Hector  Munro, 

*  In  April  1780  Ensign  Bruce  was  appointed  to  take  sections  of  ground  about 
Pondicherry. 


1T80.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  147 

acquiescing  in  marching  to  Conjeveram,  took  the  command. 
Colonel  Baillie,  who  was  with  a  small  force  at  Gomerabunder, 
in  Gunt  )or,  was  ordered  to  join  Munro  at  Conjeveram,  and 
Colonel  Braithwaite's  detachment  in  the  south  was  also  directed 
to  hasten  thither. 

Colonel  Baillie  had  upwards  of  200  miles  to  march,  while 
Braithwaite  was  distant  about  seventy  ;  the  latter  joined  in  the 
course  of  ten  days. 

On  the  26th  August,  Munro  began  his  march,  and  reached 
Conjeveram  in  three  days. 

On  24:th  August,  Colonel  Baillie  reported  his  arrival  at 
Arnee.* 

On  the  27th,  it  began  to  rain  most  violently,  and  continued  to 
do  so  till  6th  September,  so  that  the  roads  were  in  very  bad 
order,  and  the  country  covered  with  water. 

On  the  31st,  Munro  learnt  that  Hyder  had  left  Arcot,  and  was 
crossing  the  Palar. 

Baillie  was  stopped  about  five  miles  to  north  of  Tripassoor 
by  a  small  river  that  was  so  deep  (owing  to  the  heavy  rains 
which  still  continued)  that  he  could  not  pass  it. 

3rd  September. — "  The  rains  still  continuing  most  violently, 
Munro  learnt  t  that  Hyder  had  quitted  Arcot  on  the  29th,  and 
that  he  was  now  encamped  at  Bala  Chetty's  Choultry,  five 
miles  in  our  front,     Baillie  crossed  the  river  on  the  3rd. 

On  the  6th,  the  enemy  moved  their  camp  to  the  north-east ; 
Munro  also  moved  two  miles  on  road  to  Tripassore.  Tippoo, 
with  part  of  Hyder's  army,  attacked  Baillie  at  Perambankum, 
but  he  succeeded  in  repulsing  him,  although  not  without  con- 
siderable loss.  After  the  action,  Baillie  sent  a  message  to 
Munro,  that,  owing  to  his  losses,  he  was  unable  to  advance, 
and  hoped   to  see  Munro  at  Perambankum.     Munro,  however, 

*  Arnoo  is  about  twenty  miles  north-west  of  Madras  on  road  to  Nellore,  and 
about  sixteen  miles  from  the  coast  between  Pulicat  and  Ennore. 
t  By  letter  from  Captain  Prcndergast. 

10  * 


148  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1780 

feared  to  leave  Conjeveram  uncovered,  as  he  had  all  his  stores 
there ;  so,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  principal  officers,  he 
resolved  to  send  a  strong  detachment  under  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Fletcher  to  reinforce  Baillie,  who  was  now  fourteen  miles 
distant. 

At  9  P.M.  on  the  8th,  Colonel  Fletcher  left,  and  joined  Baillie 
at  Peramhankum  at  6  a.m.  on  the  9th.  Colonel  Baillie  now 
advanced  from  Peramhankum  on  evening  of  the  9th,  keeping  his 
baggage  on  the  right  flank,  and  his  left  towards  the  enemy.  He 
was  much  harassed  in  his  march  by  Tippoo's  division,  and  was 
so  much  retarded,  that  during  the  night  he  only  advanced  four 
miles,  and  then  unfortunately  took  post.  Hyder  meantime 
decamped  about  midnight,  leaving  his  camp-fires  blazing,  and  a 
few  thousand  horse  to  hover  round  Munro's  camp  to  conceal  his 
enterprise.  Early  in  the  morning,  he  laid  his  whole  force  in 
ambush,  behind  the  woods  and  village  of  Polilore. 

At  sun-rise  Munro,  found  that  Hyder  had  gone,  and  he  at  once 
marched  towards  Polilore.  At  day-break,  Baillie  continued  his 
march  ;  at  first,  no  material  damage  was  sustained,  but  when  the 
advanced  guard  turned  off  on  the  left,  to  the  road  leading  to 
Conjeveram,  through  Polilore,  Tippoo  opened  some  guns  upon 
them  from  embrasures  cut  in  the  bank  of  some  water-courses. 
A  halt  was  made,  and  these  guns  were  seized,  but  a  larger  force 
appearing,  they  were  compelled  to  abandon  them. 

Baillie  then  disposed  his  army  in  an  oblong  square,  with  field- 
pieces  at  proper  intervals,  and  the  baggage,  &c.  in  the  centre. 
Unfortunately  the  ground  was  commanded  almost  on  all  sides. 
Soon  after  this,  they  were  beset  by  the  whole  of  Hyder's  army, 
as  well  as  Tippoo's  division,  which  completely  surrounded 
them. 

The  small  force  gallantly  supported  a  very  unequal  fire,  until 
two  tumbrils  of  ammunition  blew  up,  which,  of  course,  silenced 
the  British  artillery.  Hyder's  guns  drew  nearer  and  nearer  at 
every    discharge.     Colonel    Baillie's   detachment,    seeing    their 


1780.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  149 

artillery  silenced,  naturally  became  dismayed.  The  enemy  made 
a  movement  for  a  general  charge,  and  advanced  on  all  quarters  to 
close  attack.  All  the  camp-followers  rushed  in  confusion  through 
the  ranks,  and  threw  the  whole  into  disorder.  The  sepoys 
relinquished  every  hope  of  success,  and,  notwithstanding  the 
extraordinary  exertions  of  their  European  officers,  were  not  to  be 
rallied.  The  Europeans  quickly  united  again  in  compact  order, 
headed  by  their  gallant  commander,  and,  being  joined  by  all 
the  sepoy  officers,  placed  themselves  on  a  rising  bank  of 
sand  in  their  vicinity,  and  resolved  to  defend  themselves  to  the 
last. 

"  History  cannot  produce  an  instance  for  fortitude,  cool 
intrepidity,  and  desperate  resolution  to  equal  the  exploits  of  this 
heroic  band.  In  number  now  reduced  to  500,  they  were 
opposed  by  100,000  barbarians,  who  seldom  or  never  grant 
quarter.  Distinct  bodies  of  horse  came  on  successively  to  the 
charge,  with  strong  parties  of  infantry  placed  in  the  intervals. 
Several  of  these  attacks  were  repulsed.  Fresh  columns 
incessantly  poured  in  upon  them  with  redoubled  fury,  and  at 
last  so  many  were  brought  to  the  ground,  and  their  fire  was 
consequently  so  weakened,  that  they  were  unable  to  withstand 
any  longer  the  tremendous  shock,  and  the  field  soon  presented  a 
picture  of  the  most  inhuman  cruelties,  and  unexampled  carnage. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Fletcher,  and  twenty-nine  European  officers, 
with  155  European  soldiers,  were  killed,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Baillie,  with  thirty-four  officers,  and  almost  all  the  European 
privates,  were  wounded.  Only  sixteen  men  and  officers  remained 
unhurt — these,  with  the  wounded,  were  made  prisoners." 

The  whole  of  the  sepoys  were  either  killed,  taken,  or  dispersed. 
Captain  Theobald  was  the  Commanding  Engineer  with  the  force, 
and,  as  I  cannot  trace  his  name  among  Hyder's  prisoners,  he 
must  have  been  killed  on  the  field  of  battle.  Ensign  Brunton, 
uf  Engineers,  was  taken  prisoner  and  carried  to  Seringapatam, 
where  he  died, 


150  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1780. 

Munro  returned  to  Conjeveram,  and  resolved  to  fall  back  on 
Chingleput. 

He  threw  the  heavy  guns  and  stores,  which  could  not  be 
moved,  into  the  large  tank,  and  at  3  a.m.  on  the  11  th  left  Con- 
jeveram. 

He  marched  all  day,  and  at  11  p.m.  reached  a  river,  one  and  a 
half  miles  from  Chingleput,  so  deep,  that  the  rear  of  the  army 
had  not  crossed  till  9  a.m.  on  the  ]2th.  He  found  no  provi- 
sions at  Chingleput,  so  at  6  p  m  he  marched  towards  the  Mount, 
and  arrived  on  the  14th  at  12  p.m. 

On  the  15th,  the  army  marched  to  Marmelong,  where  they 
encamped.  The  primary  cause  of  the  disaster  at  Perambankum 
was  the  unexpected  and  unprecedented  fall  of  rain,  which  fell 
almost  uninteruptedly  from  the  26th  August  to  6th  September. 
This  rain  caused  a  small  river  to  rise  so  high,  that  Baillie's 
detachment  was  prevented  from  passing  from  the  27th  August 
to  3rd  September. 

The  secondary  cause  of  the  defeat  was  the  blowing  up  of  the 
tumbrils.  Had  it  not  been  for  that,  Baillie's  force  could  have 
held  out  till  the  arrival  of  Munro,  who  was  at  the  close  of  the 
a£fair  only  two  or  three  miles  distant,  and  would  have  attacked 
Hyder  in  the  rear. 

I  have  been  unable  to  ascertain  the  names  of  the  engineer 
officers  with  General  Munro's  force,  but  Captain  Pringle  was 
the  Captain  of  the  Guides,  and  Munro  speaks  very  highly  of  his 
services. 

In  1779,  a  Civil  Architect  was  appointed  from  home.  His 
name  was  Philip  Slowey.  The  Chief  Engineer  was  much 
opposed  to  this  appointment. 

Towards  the  close  of  this  year,  Ensign  Martelli  asks  to  be 
appointed  to  the  Artillery.  This  change  was  allowed,  and  a  Mr. 
George  Bong,  who  had  served  as  an  engineer  in  the  Swedish 
service  for  several  years,  was  appointed  Ensign  and  Practitioner- 
Engineer  in  his  room. 


1T80.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  151 

Up  to  this  time,  companies  of  pioneers  and  miners  were 
formed,  when  required,  by  volunteers  from  European  and 
Native  Infantry,  and  when  no  longer  immediately  required  they 
were  broken  up. 

In  September  1780,  orders  were,  however,  issued  for  the  for- 
mation of  two  companies  of  pioneers,  each  to  consist  of  two 
sergeants,  three  corporals,  five  havildars,  five  naiques,  and  100 
privates. 

Fifty  of  the  privates  were  armed  with  pistols,  and  remainder 
with  pikes  six  feet  long. 


162  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1781 


CHAPTEK  VII. 

Sir  Eyre  Coote'a  campaign. — Battle  of  Porto  Novo. — Battle  of  Polilore. 
— Coote's  Despatch. — Battle  of  Sholinghur. — Hyder  attacks  our  advance 
force  at  Veracundalore. — Vellore  relieved. — Chittor  captured. — Southern 
campaign. — Braithvpaite  attempts  Patacottah. — He  is  wounded. — Nixon 
takes  command. — Siege  of  Negapatam. — Negapatam  capitulates. — Sir 
E.  Hughes  goes  to  Trincomalee. — Capture  of  Trincomalee. — Vellore 
relieved. — Hyder  lays  a  snare  for  us. — Defeat  of  Braithwaite. — Cudda- 
lore  capitulates. 

On  the  5th  November,  Sir  Eyre  Coote  arrived  from  Bengal,  and 
on  the  1 3th  the  army  marched  into  cantonments,  formed  into 
three  divisions,  and  every  preparation  was  made  for  the  ensuing 
campaign. 

By  the  14th  December  all  was  ready,  and  on  that  day  the 
army  encamped  at  the  Mount. 

On  l7th  January  1781,  the  army  took  the  field. 

On  the  19th,  Coote  encamped  south  of  the  Palar  nearChingle- 
put.  Two  days  afterwards,  the  fort  of  Carangooly  was  taken  by 
a  detachment  of  Europeans,  sepoys,  and  lascars,  under  Captain 
Davis,  by  Coote's  orders. 

On  the  24th,  Coote  relieved  Wandiwash,  and  recommended 
Lieutenant  Flint  and  Ensign  Moore  for  promotion  on  account 
of  their  eminent  sei vices  in  defence  of  Wandiwash.  They 
defended  it  from  12th  August  1780  to  24th  January  1781. 


1781.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  153 

Flint  rose  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the 
Company's  service,  retired  27th  June  1798,  and  died  in 
London  in  1820.  For  this  gallant  defence  Flint  obtained  no 
recognition. 

Hyder  was  engaged  in  the  siege  or  investment  of  five  diffe- 
rent posts  commanded  by  English  officers,  Amboor,  Vellore, 
Wandiwash,  Permacoil,  and  Chingleput.  Amboor  surrendered 
on  13th  January,  but  the  others  held  out. 

Hyder  raised  the  sieges  of  Permacoil  and  Vellore. 
On   1st  February,  Coote  having  heard  of  the  arrival  of  the 
French  fleet,  relieved  Permacoil,  and  then  marched  to  Pondi 
cherry,  to  impede  communication  with  the  shore.^ 

On    the    oth,   the    army  encamped  on   the  Red   Hills,    when 
Hyder's  army  appeared  in   great  force.     Hyder  declined  battle, 
and  on  the  8th  the  French  fleet  left  the  coast 
Coote's  army  consisted  of — 

1,200  European  Infantry. 
400  European  Artillery. 
5,000  Sepoys. 
800  Native  Dragoons,  and 
62  pieces  of  ordnance. 

It  seemed  as  if  Hyder  wished  to  cut  us  off  from  Cuddalore, 
so  Coote  at  once  marched  for  that  place. 

On  the  10th,  Coote  reconnoitred  the  enemy  and  offered  battle, 
but  it  was  refused.  The  army  accordingly  remained  at  Cudda- 
lore in  a  state  of  inactivity  from  the  middle  of  February  till  the 
end  of  June. t 

Major- General  Stuart  joined  the  army  by  sea  in  May. 

The  army  having  become  discouraged  by  this  inactivity,  Coote 


*  In  June,  Ensign  Wickens,  Engineers,  was  in  the  Fort  of  Carangooly. 

t  Captain  Thomas  Geils  obtained  his  commission  as  Major  of  Engineers  by 
brevet ;  it  was  granted  to  him  by  the  Court  of  Directors  in  their  letter  of 
2nd  February  1781,  and  the  commission  was  made  out  accordingly  on  17th 
July. 


154  MILITARY   HISTORY   OP    THE  [1781. 

determined  to  attempt  some  enterprise.  At  this  time  Hyder 
was  in  Tanjore,  and  had  laid  siege  to  Thiagur — a  hill-fort  fifty 
miles  west  of  Cuddalore  Coote  attempted  to  relieve  it,  hut  was 
ohliged  to  return  to  Cuddalore. 

The  next  attempt  made  was  against  Chillumhrum.  The 
place  was  assaulted;  hut  after  severe  fighting  Coote  was  ohliged 
to  draw  oflF  his  troops  with  the  loss  of  a  hrass  12-pounder,  eight 
officers  and  250  men  killed  and  wounded. 

Coote,  however,  determined  to  make  another  attempt  on  Chil- 
lumhrum, and,  to  make  sure  this  time,  he  marched  to  Porto  Novo 
to  procure  hattering  cannon  from  Sir  Edward  Hughes'  squadron, 
which  had  arrived  there. 

Coote  had  no  sooner  arrived  at  Porto  Novo,  when  he  found 
himself  surrounded  hy  the  Mysore  army  under  Hyder  himself. 

Hyder  had  made  a  forced  march  from  Shamaram  in  Tanjore, 
advancing  with  his  cavalry  ninety  miles  in  one  day.  Coote 
sent  his  heavy  baggage  and  encumbrances  on  hoard  the  fleet, 
and  at  4  a.m.  on  1st  July  our  line  was  put  in  motion. 

Hyder's  army  consisted  of  50,000  horse,  30,000  regular 
infantry,  forty-seven  field-pieces,  in  addition  to  the  guns  of 
their  batteries,  two  troops  of  French  hussars,  and  a  battalion  of 
Europeans,  forming  altogether  an  army  of  over  80,000  fighting 
men. 

Coote's  army,  consisting  of  8,000,  advanced  about  a  mile  into 
a  large  plain,  and  was  formed  in  two  lines.  Our  troops  were 
first  menaced  by  Hyder's  cavalry,  who,  as  we  advanced,  retired, 
and  at  length  disappeared  behind  the  woods  and  sand-banks  in 
their  rear,  unveiling  six  masked  batteries  of  six  to  ten  guns 
each.  On  this  being  discovered,  a  halt  was  made  to  reconnoitre 
the  guns. 

Our  line  was  then  ordered  to  file  ofi"  to  the  right,  when  the 
enemy  at  once  opened  fire  furiously. 

Having  cleared  the  range  of  these  batteries,  we  kept  along  a 
sand-hill  between  us  and  the  enemy's  line,  moved    through  a 


1781.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  155 

narrow  pass  in  the  centre  of  the  sand-hill,  and  formed  on  a  plain 
the  other  side. 

By  this  time,  there  was  a  severe  contest  going  on  hetween 
enemy's  grenadiers  and  horse  under  Monsieur  Lally,  and  our 
second  line,  under  General  Stuart,  for  the  possession  of  a  hill 
on  our  left  flank,  which  was  at  length  gained  at  the  point  of  the 
hayonet.  Captain  Moorhouse  of  the  Artillery  here  greatly  dis- 
tinguished himself. 

The  first  line,  meanwhile,  having  formed  up  ahout  10  o'clock, 
a  dreadful  cannonade  commenced  from  all  quarters,  and  continued 
till  3  P.M.  It  was  then  that  the  army  suffered  its  greatest 
losses. 

At  this  crisis,  Munro  recommended  Coote  to  make  a  brisk  and 
immediate  attack,  and  Coote  soon  after  gave  the  order  to 
advance  By  this  time,  the  steadiness  of  our  troops,  and  the 
excellence  of  our  artillery  had  visibly  slackened  the  enemv's 
fire,  and  thrown  their  ranks  into  disorder.  In  order  to  facilitate 
the  removal  of  their  guns,  they  had  posted  a  line  of  infantry  far 
outflanking  ours  in  a  deep  furrow  fronting  us,  which  stood  till 
we  came  within  JiOO  yards,  but  then  became  panic  struck  and 
gave  way.  Our  guns  poured  in  grape-shot  amongst  the  fugi- 
tives, and  as  they  had  to  ascend  the  sand-hills  before  they  were 
screened  from  our  fire,  great  numbers  of  them  fell. 

Continuing  the  pursuit,  we  reached  the  top  of  the  sand-hills, 
where,  being  stopped  by  a  deep  nullah,  a  few  more  shots  put  an 
end  to  the  carnage  and  fatigues  of  the  day. 

We  lost  seventeen  European  officers  and  fifty  Europeans, 
besides  twenty  native  officers  and  500  sepoys  killed  and 
wounded. 

Many  of  Hyder's  principal  officers  were  among  the  killed 
and  wounded,  amongst  them  Meer  Saib,  one  of  his  bravest 
partisans. 

About  4,000  Mysoreans  fell  at  the  battle  of  Porto  Novo,  but 
it  was  difficult  to  ascertain  the  exact  numbers.     Monsieur  Lally 


156  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1781. 

was   wounded.      Hyder   and   his   army    reached    Chillumhrum 
before  they  thought  of  rallying 

Tippoo  was  now  besieging  Wandiwash.  On  18th  July,  Tippoo, 
after  being  repulsed  in  storming  the  place,  had  to  raise  the  siege  on 
the  approach  of  Coote,  and  the  British  army  arrived  on  the  20th. 
This  was  the  third  time  Wandiwash  had  been  relieved  by 
Coote. 

Coote  now  determined  to  effect  a  junction  with  Colonel 
Pearse,  who  was  marching  from  Bengal  with  a  strong  reinforce- 
ment. On  2nd  August,  Coote  ej0Fected  a  junction  with  Pearse, 
who  had  with  him  ten  battalions  of  Bengal  sepoys,  and  twenty 
pieces  of  cannon. 

This  union  increased  our  force  to  12,000  men.  After  return- 
ing to  the  Mount,  the  army  was  formed  into  five  brigades  of 
infantry,  and  one  of  cavalry.  General  Munro  commanded  the 
right  wing,  and  Colonel  Pearse  the  left.  The  cavalry  were  led 
by  Colonel  Cosby,  and  the  infantry  brigades  by  Lieutenant- 
Colonels  Elphinstone,  Owen,  Edmonston,  and  Blair.  The 
Bengal  Artillery  were  on  the  right  under  Colonel  Elliot,  and  the 
Madras  Artillery  on  the  left  under  Major  Mackay.  Captain 
Dugood  commanded  the  engineers. 

All  the  detachments  in  the  Tanjore  country  were  ordered  to 
draw  themselves  together,  and  Colonel  Braithwaite  was  sent  to 
command  them.     The  southern  arniy  amounted  to  5,000  men. 

The  main  army  made  every  preparation  for  a  march  to  the 
siege  of  Arcot  and  relief  of  Vellore,  and  began  the  march  on 
the  16th  August;  on  the  20th  they  took  Tripassore. 

Hyder  was  then  encamped  at  Conjeveram.  As  the  British 
army  advacced,  his  irregulars  obstructed  its  march,  and  on  the 
27th  August,  he  appeared  in  full  force  behind  the  woods  and 
village  of  Polilore  (the  same  place  where  Baillie  had  been 
defeated).  Hyder  superstitiously  thought  that  this  was  a  lucky 
spot  for  him,  and  determined  to  hazard  a  second  general  engage- 
ment. 


irsi.] 


MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  167 


The  enemy's  position  was  first  announced  by  some  guns 
opening  on  our  advanced  guard  Our  line  was  irregularly 
formed  on  broken  ground.  A  front  had  no  sooner  been  pre- 
sented, than  fresh  batteries  were  opened  from  other  quarters. 
Colonel  Pearse's  brigade  was  formed  in  a  position  to  oppose  the 
fire  on  our  left  flank ;  while  the  remainder  of  the  line  under 
Munro  changed  front  to  the  right,  and  then  to  the  left.  The 
second  brigade,  under  Colonel  Edmonston,  was  ordered  to 
attack  Polilore.  Munro*  was  ordered  to  make  a  movement 
to  the  right,  but  shortly  after,  the  order  having  been 
countermanded,  he  was  directed  to  make  an  advance  on  the 
village. 

The  enemy  were  at  length  dislodged  from  every  strong  posi- 
tion on  their  left.  Colonel  Owen  then  got  orders  to  move  from 
our  right  to  assist  our  left  in  throwing  the  enemy's  right  flank 
into  confusion,  and  soon  the  enemy  were  put  to  flight,  and  the 
action  finished  at  sunset  Hyder  claimed  the  battle  as  drawn, 
and  as  Coote  after  the  battle  retreated  to  Tripassore  for  pro- 
visions, it  certainly  must  have  looked  like  one,  but  there  is  still 
the  fact  that  Hyder  was  driven  from  his  position  at  Polilore,  and 
it  was  merely  want  of  provisions  which  forced  Coote  to  retire.f 

Our  losses  in  this  battle  were;}:: — 

Killed.  Wounded. 

Europeans...  ...     28        ...  ...       25 

Natives       105       207 

133  232 

besides  fifty-eight  natives  missing. 

*  The  newly-formed  pioneers  were  with  Coote's  army  throughout  his 
campaign  in  1781.     One  of  the  companies  was  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Innes. 

t  Major  Stubbs  says  that  Sir  Hector  Munro,  on  the  right,  sat  sulkily  under 
a  solitary  tree,  dechning  to  give  any  orders  on  account  of  an  affront  ho  had 
received  from  Cooto.  lie  had  made  a  suggestion  to  Coote,  and  the  General  had 
told  him  he  was  giving  advice  when  he  ought  to  be  doing  his  duty. 

{  Coote's  Despatch. 


158  MILITABT   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1781. 

Hyder  was  supposed  to  have  lost  2,000  killed  and  wounded. 
Major-General  Stuart   lost  his  leg  hy  a   cannon-shot,  in  the 
beginning  of  the  action. 

After  the  battle,  Sir  Hector  Munro  received  permission  to 
leave  for  Europe,  the  state  of  his  health  being  bad.* 

On  19th  September,  the  army  again  marched  towards  Vellore, 
close  to  Pulicat  and  Sholinghur  mountains,  which  protected  our 
right  flank. 

Hyder's  camp  was  pitched  on  a  gentle  declivity,  with  strong 
ground,  and  a  tank  in  his  front — his  left  flank  being  under  the 
Sholinghur  hills.  The  British  army  advanced,  and  encamped 
with  its  right  flank  covered  by  the  same  hills,  and  parallel  with 
enemy's  line ;  while  between  the  two  lines  was  a  long  range  of 
low  rocks. 

Early  on  27th  September,  Coote  advanced  to  these  rocks,  and 
reconnoitred,  and  then  ordered  the  army  to  advance  in 
front. 

This  was  done ;  and  when  they  came  in  view  of  the  enemy, 
they  marched  to  the  right,  till  they  were  covered  on  that  flank 
by  a  large  tank.  A  cannonade  began  on  both  sides.  The  2nd 
Brigade,  under  Colonel  Edmonston,  with  all  the  cavalry,  moved 
round  the  tank  without  being  seen,  and  fell  suddenly  on  camp 
and  left  flank  of  the  enemy.  At  the  same  time,  the  rest  of  the 
army  advanced,  which  threw  Hyder's  right  wing  into  confusion 
Hyder  ordered  Tippoo  to  rally  the  cavalry,  and  charge  the  left 
of  our  line.  He  attempted  to  do  so,  but  they  were  so  warmly 
received  by  the  Artillery,  that  the  army  was  thrown  into  general 
disorder,  and  Hyder  thought  it  time  to  draw  off"  his  guns.  As  a 
last  effort,  he  sent  a  desperate  body  of  1,000  cavalry,  who  had 
vowed  to  break  the  English  line. 

They  advanced  on  13th  Bengal,  and  17th,  18th,  and  2 1st 
Madras,  on  our  left,  but  these  troops  reserved  their  fire  till  they 

*  Departure   said  to  have  been  influenced  by  Coote's    harsh  reply  to   him 
during  battle  of  Polilore. 


;IT81.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  l69 

were  within  fifty  yards,  when  a  volley  was  delivered  with  great 
execution.  The  cavalry  forced  their  way,  however,  through  the 
intervals,  but  the  sepoys  went  to  the  right-about,  and  gave  them 
another  volley  in  their  rear. 

By  this  time,  all  the  enemy's  guns,  except  one,  had  been  drawn 
off,  and  his  line  completely  routed. 

The  cavalry  and  2nd  Brigade,  continued  the  pursuit  till  sunset, 
and  the  action  came  to  an  end.  The  enemy  lost  upwards  of 
2,000  killed  and  wounded. 

Our  loss,  including  officers  and  men,  did  not  exceed  100  killed 
and  wounded.  As  usual,  owing  to  the  want  of  provisions,  Coote 
was  not  able  to  take  advantage  of  his  victory,  and  would  again 
have  had  to  retire,  had  he  not  become  friendly  with  Bom  Rauze, 
the  Carvetnuggur  chief. 

Coote  determined  to  wander  through  his  territory  in  quest  of 
a  daily  subsistence.  The  army,  guided  by  Bom  Rauze,  began  its 
march  on  1st  October  through  the  Sholinghur  Pass,  the  2nd 
Brigade  being  posted  there  as  a  guard. 

After  a  fatiguing  march  of  two  days  amongst  the  hills,  they 
reached  Atamcherry  (about  fifteen  miles  north  of  Sholinghur). 

Here  the  army  subsisted  well  for  several  days. 

On  the  12th,  however,  Coote  learnt  that  a  large  body  of  the 
enemy's  cavalry  and  infantry  had  entered  the  territory,  and  were 
plundering;  he  instantly  marched  with  the  cavalry,  and  three 
battalions  of  infantry,  and,  after  supporting  a  share  of  fatigue,* 
which,  at  his  years,  entitles  him  to  admiration,  completely 
surprised  the  whole  of  their  party  in  their  camp,  and  took  all 
their  provisions,  saddles,  swords,  and  forty  horses.  As  soon  as 
rice  could  be  collected  for  the  relief  of  Vellore,  Colonel  Owen  was 
ordered  to  advance,  and  take  post  at  the  pass  of  Veracundalore, 
with  100  Europeans,  five  battalions  of  sepoys,  a  regiment  of 
cavalry,  with  two  6-pounders  and  eight  cavalry  guns,  besides  a 

*  During  this  expedition  Coote  was  on  horseback  for  thirty-two  hours. 


160  MILITARY  HISTORY   OF    THE  [1781. 

detachment  of  pioneers,  under  Lieutenant  Innes — (Veracun- 
dalore,  twenty  miles  in  front  of  us), — to  distress  Hyder  by  block- 
ing up  his  supplies  of  provisions,  which  came  from  Chittoor  to 
his  camp  on  Timery  Plains,  thirty  miles  distant.  Hyder  soon 
began  to  feel  great  inconvenience  from  his  situation,  and  having 
made  a  forced  march,  and  reached  Owen's  camp  on  2ord  October, 
surprised  him.  Our  troops  formed  line  with  difficulty,  and  were 
at  once  beset  on  all  sides.  The  tents  and  baggage  were 
designedly  set  on  fire,  owing  to  want  of  time,  and  the  chief  object 
became  the  possession  of  the  pass  between  Owen  and  the  main 
army.  Detachments  were  sent  from  both  armies  for  this  pur- 
pose, but  ours  succeeded,  and,  though  pressed  upon  both  flanks, 
our  troops  stood  until  one  attack  took  off  one  of  our  guns,  and 
dispersed  the  battalion  that  had  charge  of  it,  Captain  Moore 
no  sooner  heard  of  this,  than  he,  with  the  European  Grenadiers 
and  21st  Sepoys  made  a  dash  to  the  rear,  recovered  the  gun,* 
and  left  150  of  the  enemy  dead.  By  this,  the  sepoys  were  much 
encouraged,  and  had  now  got  within  the  defile  close  to  the  main 
army,  which  had  moved  to  Owen's  support. 

Hyder  now  thought  it  useless  to  pursue,  and  drew  ofi*  his 
troops.  Colonel  Owen  soon  after  joined  the  main  army,  which 
encamped  at  Madowaddy.  We  lost  in  this  affair,  seventeen 
European  and  Native  officers,  and  300  rank  and  file  killed  and 
wounded. 

On  26th  October,  Coote  moved  to  Polipet,  while  a  detachment 
was  sent  to  Tripassore  with  sick  and  wounded. 

At  Polipet  a  fortunate  discovery  was  made  of  an  immense 
quantity  of  rice  hidden  under  ground,  which  at  last  enabled 
Coote  to  relieve  the  distress  at  Vellore — that  place  having  been 
supplied  on  November  8rd  with  provisions  for  three  months. 

Colonel  Lang,  with  part  of  the  garrison,  was  withdrawn,  and 
Captain  Cuppage  left  in  command. 

*  Captain  Moorhonse,  Madras  Artillery,  aeeisted  at  this. 


1781.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  161 

The  ariuy  now  proceeded  to  the  attack  of  Chittoor.  The 
garrison  made  a  gallant  defence  for  some  days,  but  capitulated 
on  a  breach  being  made  in  the  rampart.  A  garrison  was  left  in 
the  place. 

"  Captain  Dugood,  of  the  Engineers,  a  valuable  and  experienced 
officer,  was  killed  by  a  random  shot  at  this  siege,  and  Coote 
received  a  contusion  in  the  neck  from  the  splinter  of  a  stone 
which  the  shot  had  raised  as  they  were  reconnoitring." 

From  a  careful  examination  of  the  information  available,  I  am 
led  to  believe  that  the  following  Madras  Engineers  were  present 
with  Coote : — 

Captain  Dugood. 
Captain  Johnstone. 
Captain  Gent. 

Lieutenant  Wickens,  in  September  sent  to  Negapatam. 
Ensign  Baker. 
Ensign  Ogg. 

Ensign  Bong,  in  December  sent  to  mine  fort  at  Pulicat,  and 
make  arrangements  for  destroying  it. 

The  monsoon  having  now  set  in,  the  army  broke  up  on  2nd 
December  on  the  Cocolore  plain,  and  marched  to  cantonments  in 
the  environs  of  Madras,  and  the  campaign  of  1781  was  brought 
to  a  conclusion. 

In  the  month  of  August,  Colonel  Braithwaite  was  commanding 
tiie  Southern  Army  in  Tanjore,  and  was  encamped  south  of 
the  Yenaur.  Hyder  held  many  forts  in  the  country,  and 
seemed  determined  to  retain  them.  Braithwaite  attempted  to 
storm  Tricatapully,  but  was  beaten  off.  He  reported  that  Hyder 
had  formed  an  alliance  with  the  Dutch  at  Negapatam. 

Braithwaite  determined  to  reduce  Patacottah,  the  southern 
extremity  of  the  kingdom,  with  the  hope  of  obtaining  provisions, 
and  opening  communications  with  Admiral  Hughes  by  way  of 
Adriapatam.  He  appeared  before  it  on  28th  August,  made  a 
practicable  breach  by  the  30th,  and  ussuulied  it.    His  force  was, 

11 


162  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1781. 

however,  repulsed,  and  Braithwaite  himself  received  a  musket- 
ball  in  the  fore  part  of  his  right  shoulder.  Colonel  Braithwaite 
being  thus  hors-de-combat,  sent  a  message  to  Colonel  Eccles 
Nixon  at  Trichinopoly  to  come  at  once,  and  take  command. 

Colonel  Nixon  arrived  on  4th  September.  In  a  few  days  he 
took  Manarcoil,  after  a  siege  of  two  days.  By  the  I7th 
September  he  had  taken  Mahadapatam.  The  garrison  repulsed 
our  utmost  efforts  in  the  breach,  but  quarrelled  among  them- 
selves, which  made  us  easily  masters  of  the  fort. 

Major  Geils  was  the  chief  engineer  with  this  force,  and  ou 
24th  September  Lieutenant  Wickens  was  sent  to  join  Colonel 
Nixon's  army  to  assist  at  the  reduction  of  Negapatam.* 

It  was  the  Governor,  Lord  Macartney,  who  decided  upon  the 
capture  of  the  Dutch  settlements,  especially  Negapatam  and 
Trincomalee. 

Sir  Eyre  Coote  was  opposed  to  the  measure,  but  in  spite  of 
this  Lord  Macartney  persisted,  and  asked  Sir  Hector  Munro 
(who  was  at  this  time  at  Madras  waiting  for  a  passage  to 
England)  to  take  the  command.  This  he  at  once  agreed  to  do, 
and  on  the  2 1st  October  Sir  Hector  Munro  took  command  of  the 
Southern  Army,  and  sat  down  before  the  place. 

On  the  27th,  he  made  a  disposition  for  the  attack  of  the 
enemy's  redoubts  and  lines  to  the  westward.  The  attacking 
party  was — commanded  by  Colonel  Nixon — 100  marines,  100 
seamen  from  the  fleet,  and  two  battalions  of  sepoys. 

To  favour  the  attack,  another  party,  consisting  of  twenty-eight 
seamen,  the  Madras  detachments,  and  Captain  Scott's  sepoys, 
under  Captain  Scott,  were  ordered  to  force  the  redoubt  on  sand- 
hill to  the  eastward.     The  party  marched,  but  the  attack  failed. 

The  next  day  another  attempt  was  made,  but  again  without 
success.     On  the  29th,  Munro  requested  the  Admiral  to  send 


*  A  detachment  of  pioneers,  under  Lieutenant  Abbott,  was  serving  under 
Colonel  Braithwaite,  and  was  present  at  siege  of  Negapatam. 


1781.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  163 

some  intelligeut  person  in  a  boat  to  look  at  the  enemy's  lines 
and  redoubts  to  the  east,  having  resolved  to  make  the  third 
attempt  from  that  quarter. 

The  Admiral  sent  Lieutenant  Hughes  in  a  boat,  but  his  report 
having  differed  from  previous  ones,  Munro  sent  Major  Geils, 
the  chief  engineer,  to  the  Admiral  on  board  the  Superhe,  who 
sent  Lieutenant  Hughes  with  him  to  examine  the  enemy's  works. 
They  reconnoitred  the  works,  and  having  given  in  their  report, 
Munro  ordered  attacks  to  be  made  at  2  a.m.  on  the  30th,  and 
these  happily  succeeded,  with  small  loss. 

From  the  22nd  to  the  30th  materials  had  been  got  ready 
for  our  batteries ;  orders  were  now  given  to  break  ground 
before  the  north  face  of  the  fort. 

On  1st  and  2nd  November,  an  approach  was  carried  forward 
120  yards,  under  cover  of  some  trees,  to  the  left  of  the 
parallel. 

"  3rd. — Finished  from  500  to  600  yards  communicating  with 
it  through  a  dry  tank  to  the  enemy's  works. 

"4th. — Employed  in  rendering  the  above  still  more  com- 
plete. 

"  5th.  —Began  the  10-gun  battery,  but  the  enemy,  making  a 
sally  early  in  tlie  night,  so  far  impeded  the  work,  tliat  only 
embrasures  for  six  of  the  guns  were  finished.  This  was  called 
Seamen's  battery. 

"  6th. — Laid  the  platforms,  and  completed  the  battery  in  the 
night,  consisting  of  four  18-pounders  and  four  12-pounders 
of  ours,  and  two  12-pounders  taken  from  the  enemy.  Ad- 
vanced an  approach  to  a  mortar  battery  from  centre  of  the 
parallel. 

"  7th. — Opened  the  batteries,  which  did  considerable  damage  in 
the  course  of  the  day,  five  guns  on  right  taking  left  face  of  the 
bastion  to  right  of  gateway,  and  enfilading  those  of  its  right 
face ;  the  other  five  guns,  being  inclined,  did  the  same  to  bastion 
on  left  of  gateway. 

11    * 


164  MILITAEY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1781-82. 

"8th. — 12-gun  battery  commenced  to-day,  called  Marine 
battery. 

"  10th. — Opened  from  four  guns  of  Marine  battery,  which  did 
great  execution  against  circular  bastion  on  north-east  angle  and 
breached  bastion  to  left  of  gateway.  Enemy  made  a  sortie  about 
4  P.M.,  but  were  repulsed  with  great  loss. 

"  1 1th. — Opened  both  batteries.  This  would  soon  have  made 
breach  practicable,  but  a  flag  of  truce  was  then  sent  out.  A 
large  battery  of  ten  18-pounders  was  completed  within  300  yards 
of  the  rampart,  and  a  formidable  breaching  battery  also  con- 
structed in  another  convenient  situation." 

The  garrison  was  then  summoned  to  surrender ;  but  the 
Governor  resolved  to  stand  the  siege,  and  soon  after  his  troops 
made  two  brisk  sallies  from  the  fort,  which  were  both  repulsed. 
Meanwhile,  the  batteries  opened  fire  furiously,  which  soon 
demolishing  the  nearest  bastion,  the  commandant  was  induced 
to  ask  for  a  parley,  and  a  capitulation  was  agreed  to,  and  signed 
on  1 1th  November. 

The  Southern  Army  then  returned  to  Tanjore,  and  the  com- 
mand again  devolved  on  Colonel  Braithwaite.  A  short  time 
after,  the  fortifications  of  Negapatam,  the  citadel  excepted,  were 
entirely  demolished. 

During  the  siege  about  250  Europeans  and  300  Natives  were 
killed  and  wounded. 

During  the  operations  at  Negapatam,  Sir  Edward  Hughes 
had  stationed  a  64-gun  ship  to  blockade  Trincomalee. 

On  2nd  January  1782,  the  Admiral  left  Negapatam  with  his 
squadron,  having  re-embarked  his  seamen  and  marines,  with 
some  Company's  artillery,  500  volunteer  sepoys,  and  a  detach- 
ment of  pioneers  under  Lieutenant  Abbott. 

Major  Geils  was  chief  engineer. 

On  4th  January,  the  squadron  anchored  in  Trincomalee 
Bay.  The  next  day  the  Marines,  with  two  16-pounders,  and 
Artillery  were  landed  about  three  miles  to   the  north  of  Trin- 


aj  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  165 

comalee  Fort,  and  by  evening  the  whole  force  had  landed,  under 
command  of  Captain  Gell,  of  the  Minorca.  Trincomalee  Fort 
was  taken  by  surprise  the  same  night.  The  principal  part  of 
the  garrison  retired  to  Fort  Ostenburg,  on  the  top  of  a  high 
hill,  which  commands  the  entrance  to  the  harbour. 

On  the  7th,  Major  Geils,  the  chief  engineer,  with  the  field 
oflBcer,  reconnoitred  the  heights  near  Ostenburg  Fort,  endeavour- 
ing to  find  a  passage  for  the  troops  and  field-pieces  ;  and  on  the 
8th  the  whole  moved  off  towards  the  fort,  and  with  great  labour 
and  fatigue  on  the  9th,  got  possession  of  a  hill  not  more  than 
300  paces  from  it,  but  found  it  impracticable  to  get  heavy  guns 
up.  Under  these  circumstances,  the  Admiral  summoned  the 
Governor  to  surrender,  and  that  he  might  get  as  exact  informa- 
tion as  possible  of  the  real  state  of  the  place,  he  ordered  Major 
Geils  t«  carry  the  summons.  This  he  did,  and  reported  on  his 
return  that  it  might  be  taken  by  assault,  but  desired,  at  the 
same  time,  that  a  second  summons  might  be  sent  by  him,  in 
order  that  he  might  be  more  exact  in  his  observations  on  the 
defence  of  the  place.  It  seems  strange  that  Geils  was  allowed 
in  without  being  blindfolded.  This  was  done  on  the  10th,  but  the 
Governor  still  persisting  in  his  resolution  to  defend  his  post  to  the 
last,  it  was  determined  to  assault  it.  Accordingly,  at  gun-fire  on 
the  11th,  it  was  assaulted  with  bravery,  and  the  enemy  driven 
from  their  guns  and  posts  in  a  very  short  time,  but  not  without 
considerable  loss  on  our  part — one  officer  and  twenty  men  being 
killed,  and  two  officers  and  forty  men  wounded.  The  enemy 
lost  only  thirteen  men  killed,  including  two  officers. 

The  Governor,  9  officers,  250  infantry,  50  artillery,  55  Euro- 
pean seamen,  60  Chinese  and  Malays,  and  10  artificers  were 
taken  prisoners. 

Two  of  the  enemy's  ships  were  found  in  the  harbour  richly 
laden. 

Sir  Edward  Hughes  resolved  to  remain  with  his  squadron, 
having    garrisoned    the    two    forts    with    the    detachment    of 


166  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  ri782. 

volunteer  sepoys  and   artillery,  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Bonneveaux. 

On  30th  July,  Captain  George  Banks  and  Mr.  Eobert  Watson, 
and  Mr.  Crawford  Lennox,  of  the  Engineers,  were  ordered  to 
proceed  to  'Jrincomalee,  while  Mr.  Collins  Tyson  was  to  relieve 
Mr.  Watson  at  Negapatam. 

While  Coote's  army  was  in  winter  quarters,  it  had  chiefly  been 
employed  in  escorting  grain  to  Poonamalee  and  Tripassore,  for 
the  relief  of  Vellore. 

Early  in  January,  Coote  marched  by  the  Sholinghur  Road 
with  the  right  flank  of  the  army,  on  the  Pollam  Hills.  Hyder 
tried  his  utmost  to  clog  oar  eff"orts,  and  cut  ofi"  the  escort ;  but 
all  his  endeavours  proved  inefi'ectual,  and  we  relieved  Vellore  on 
Ilth  January,  with  six  iDonths'  rice. 

During  the  skirmishes  on  the  march,  we  lost  three  subalterns, 
and  seventy  men  killed  and  wounded. 

Hyder  then  resolved  to  lay  a  snare  for  us  on  our  return  to  the 
Presidency.  Our  route  lay  alongside  a  tank,  and  Hyder  gave 
orders  for  the  sluices  to  be  opened,  and  caused  the  ground  below 
it  to  be  swamped  for  a  breadth  of  about  500  yards.  This 
ground  he  caused  to  be  trampled  down  till  it  became  almost 
impassable  for  infantry  ;  opposite  to  this  ground  was  a  semi- 
circle of  rising  ground,  about  a  mile  in  length. 

Upon  this,  Hyder  placed  large  batteries  of  24-pounders  and 
field  artillery,  cautiously  masked  by  brushwood. 

On  the  J  3th,  we  left  Vellore,  and  returning  the  same  road 
without  the  least  suspicion  of  these  hostile  preparations,  our 
line  entered  the  slough,  which  it  was  permitted  to  pass,  till  the 
European  Brigade,  then  nearly  in  the  centre,  had  got  quite 
entangled  in  the  mud  ;  upon  this,  upwards  of  fifty  guns  opened 
furiously  on  us.  Our  troops,  however,  showed  great  firmness, 
and  with  great  regularity  and  briskness  pushed  forward,  and 
formed  the  other  side.  Hyder  being  thus  frustrated,  drew  off" 
his  guns,  and  retreated  under  the  walls  of  Arcot,   leaving  us  to 


1782.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  167 

continue  our  march  to  Poonamalee,  where  we  arrived  on  the 
20th  January  1782,  having  lost  on  this  expedition  six  ofiBcers, 
thirty  Europeans,  and  100  sepoys  killed  and  wounded. 

While  Coote  was  engaged  in  foiling  Hyder,  Tippoo,  with  an 
army  of  20,000  horse  and  foot,  and  twenty  guns,  accompanied 
by  M.  Lally  and  400  French  soldiers,  entered  the  Tanjore 
country,  and  unexpectedly  surrounded  a  detachment  of  the 
southern  army,  commanded  by  Colonel  Braithwaite  (consisting 
of  1,400  infantry,  200  horse,  and  eight  guns  and  one  howitzer), 
which  was  encamped  near  Combaconum. 

Braithwaite's  force  consisted  of : — 

Cavalry 200 

Infantry  attached              ...          ...          ...  150 

European  infantry            ...          ...          ...  50 

European  and  Native  Artillery  ...          ...  80 

Sepoys      1,200 


1,680 


And  21  officers,  including  the  General. 
Six  6-pounders, 
Two  3-pounders  (gallopers). 
One  howitzer. 

On  13th  February,  Colonel  Braithwaite  (having  lost  his 
aide-de-camp  by  death  on  the  7th),  nominated  Lieutenant 
Charles  Salmon,  of  the  Engineers,  to  that  duty.  He  was  not 
present  at  Braithwaite's  defeat,  but  on  the  17th,  was  on  his  way 
to  join  him,  when  the  disaster  occurred. 

On  the  19th,  he  wrote  a  minute  account  of  the  defeat,  h\m 
which  the  following  particulars  have  been  extracted. 

The  army  surrendered  on  18th  February,  at  12  o'clock,  at 
Ariangoody,  four  miles  from  Pandanalore. 

"  I  (Lieutenant  Salmon)  was  proceeding  to  join  Colonel 
Braithwaite,  as  his  aide-de-camp,  and  had  got  as  far  as  Shola- 
veram,  halfway  between,   at  9  a.m.,   when  I  heard  a  very  heavy 


168  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1782. 

cannonade,  and,  soon  after,  quick  plaioon-firing.  As  I  had 
2,000  pagodas  with  me,  besides  a  very  slender  escort,  and  no 
intelligence,  I  thought  it  prudent  to  return  to  the  fortified  pagoda 
at  Combaconum,  where  we  had  two  companies  of  sepoys,  inform- 
ing Colonel  Briiithwaite,  at  the  same  time,  of  the  steps  I  had 
taken.     The  next  morning  I  had  a  '  chit '  *  from  him. 

"  '  We  have  had  a  very  hard  day  of  it ;  have  kept  our  ground, 
but  are  surrounded.  Do  what  the  bearer  tells  you.'  On 
questioning  the  bearer,  he  assured  me  he  had  no  instructions 
except  to  deliver  the  '  chit.'  He  left  the  camp  at  10  p.m.,  and 
said  they  seemed  in  great  confusion,  and  were  preparing  to  move, 
and  that  he  beard  a  great  deal  of  firing  two  hours  after.  It 
appears  the  Colonel  attempted  to  retire  in  the  night,  but  it  was 
then  too  late,  being  surrounded  and  closely  watched  by  the 
enemy.  He  marched  about  10,  with  two  battalions  of  sepoys, 
leaving  the  cavalry  and  13th  Battalion  on  the  ground,  who  were 
ordered  to  make  a  show  of  entrenching,  and  two  hours  after  to 
follow  him. 

"  His  intention  was,  I  believe,  to  retreat  to  Negapatam,  as  he 
advanced  to  Mayaveram  ;  but  he  soon  found  that  the  enemy  had 
got  between  him,  and  the  13th  Battalion  ;  he  therefore  returned, 
and  re-joined  them  with  great  difficulty,  being  obliged  to  fight 
all  the  way  back. 

"  It  was  day-break  when  the  Colonel  re-joined,  when  guns 
were  opened  from  every  quarter  on  them.  They  sustained  this 
cannonade,  and  were  also  engaged  with  the  infantry,  till  1 1 
o'clock,  when  the  Colonel,  finding  if  he  remained  any  longer  on 
that  ground  his  destruction  would  be  inevitable,  marched  oflF, 
and  pushed  for  Manargoody,  about  a  mile  from  camp,  and  he 
had  nearly  gained  it,  when  one  of  the  battalions  of  Tanjore 
Grenadiers,  seeing  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  advancing  to 
charge  them,  made   a  run  for  the  pagoda,  leaving  their  guns 

*  A  note. 


1782.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  169 

behind  them.  This  occasioned  great  confusion,  when  the 
enemy  cut  in  amongst  them,  and  did  great  execution.  Colonel 
Braithwaite,  at  this  time,  received  a  sabre-wound  across  the 
back  from  a  horseman.  The  18th  Battalion  in  the  rear  did 
extremely  well,  and  made  their  way  good  to  the  pagoda.  The 
sepoys,  who  had  been  two  days  without  provisions,  and  fighting 
almost  the  whole  time  against  such  a  superior  force,  were  so 
disheartened,  that  they  called  out  for  "  cowl  "  (quarter).  There 
was  a  consultation  of  the  officers,  and  the  result  was  that  they 
offered  to  surrender  at  discretion.  All  the  officers,  except  Lend, 
are  wounded.  Mr.  Stuart's  '  boy  '  *  is  come  in,  who  says  he 
saw  his  master  killed.  Some  sepoys  of  the  1 0th  say  he  is  only 
wounded." 

This  action  lasted  twenty-six  hours,  before  the  troops  were 
vanquished.  Of  twenty-one  officers,  twelve  were  killed  and  seven 
wounded. 

The  Southern  Army  was  so  weakened  by  this  disaster,  as 
to  be  incapable,  for  some  time,  of  appearing  openly  in  the 
field. 

Lieutenant  Salmon,  having  written  to  Captain  Alcock,  com- 
manding at  Tanjore,  and  to  Mr.  Sullivan,  the  Civil  officer,  and 
having  sent  all  the  money  to  Tanjore,  was  ordered  by  Alcock  to 
retreat  on  Tanjore.  This  he  at  once  did,  and  succeeded  in 
bringing  into  the  fort  the  two  companies  of  sepoys,  from  the 
fortified  pagoda  at  Combaconum,  as  well  as  the  three  which 
Ensign  Salmon  had  at  Triviar. 

Tippoo  marched  at  once  to  Porto  Nov(;,  where  most  of  the 
French  fleet  had  put  in  after  the  last  action,  in  a  very  shattered 
condition.  All  the  infantry,  and  marines  of  the  fleet,  were  dis- 
embarked, and  joined  Tippco  on  10th  March,  who  with  this 
reinforcement  marched  against  Cuddalore,  which  capitulated,  by 
orders  from  the  Presidency,  without  a  shot  being  fired. 

*  Servant. 


170  MILITAEY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1781. 


CHAPTEE    VIII. 


Expedition  to  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. — Suffrein  proceeds  to  India. 
— Captain  Byres  made  prisoner  in  the  Hannibal. — Admiral  Hughes  at 
Madras. — Naval  action  off  Sadras. — Byres  writes  to  Coote  regarding 
exchange.— He  appeals  to  the  Governor. — Coote's  army. — Naval  battle  at 
Battacolo.— Boss  rejoins  as  Chief  Engineer. — Coote's  campaign. — Battle 
of  Arnee. — Our  Grand  Guard  cut  to  pieces.— Naval  action  near  Nega- 
patam. — Eeinforcement  forTrincomalee. — Suffrein  attacks  Trincomalee, 
which  capitulates.  —  Court-martial  thereon.  —  Banks  honourably 
acquitted. — Naval  action  near  Trincomalee. —Peace  with  Mahrattas 
and  negotiations  with  Hyder. — Yellore  relieved. — Colonel  Lang  sent  to 
command  Southern  Army.  —  Expedition  against  Cuddalore.  —  Coote 
taken  ill. — Expedition  abandoned. — Tippoo  defeated  at  Ponnany  and 
wounded. — Expedition  to  destroy  Wandiwash  and  Carangooly. — Nega- 
patam  destroyed. — Movements  from  Bombay. — Force  under  Colonel 
Lang. — Siege  of  Caroor.  — Aravacoorchy  captured. — Taking  of  Dindigul. 
— Colonel  Fullarton  takes  command  of  the  Southern  Army. — Death  of 
Coote. — Darapooram  captured. — Stuart  takes  up  position  before  Cudda- 
lore.— Assault  on  enemy's  works. — General  Stuart's  after-orders. — 
Council  of  War. — Naval  engagement  between  Suffrein  and  Hughes. — 
Governor  complains  of  Stuart's  dilatoriness. — General  Stuart  resigns 
command  of  Company's  troops. — General  Stuart  arrested  by  the 
Governor. — Arrest  of  General  Burgoyne. — General  Stuart  sent  prisoner 
to  England. — Armies  march  to  winter  quarters. — Pandalumcoorchy 
attacked. — Assault  repulsed,  and  the  place  abandoned. — "Comby" 
taken  possession  of. — Fullarton  resolves  to  take  Pulghaut. — Pettah 
occupied.  —  Palghaut  captured.  —  Coimbatore  surrenders.  —  Colonel 
Campbell  surrenders  Mangalore. — Losses  of  Engineers. 

At  the   beginning  of    1781,  the  British  Government  projected 
an  attack  on  the  Dutch  possessions  at  the  Cape.    The  expedition 


1781.]  MADBAS    ENGINEEES.  171 

was  committed  to  the  charge  of  Commodore  Johnstone,  with  ten 
sail-of-the-line,  three  50-gun  ships,  and  three  frigates,  with  a 
small  land-force  under  general  Medows.  Colonel  Patrick  Ross, 
Chief  Engineer  of  Madras,  being  in  England,  went  with  the 
expedition,  as  well  as  Ensign  William  Collins  Tyson,  also  of 
Madras  Engineers.  It  was  intended  that  the  proposed  expedition 
should  be  kept  secret,  but  the  French  heard  of  it  through  a  verv 
skilful  spy  of  theirs  called  Delamotte*  (afterwards  detected  and 
hanged).  They  accordingly  prepared  a  more  powerful  squadron 
at  Brest.  Johnstone  left  Spithead  on  13th  March  1781,  and 
on  the  22nd,  Admiral  SufFrein  started  from  Brest  in  pursuit. 

The  British  Commodore  had,  according  to  orders,  put  into 
Porto  Praya,  Cape  Verde  islands,  for  provisions,  and  was  lying 
there  unsuspicious  of  danger.  On  10th  April,  the  French 
squadron  was  seen  in  the  distance.  When  this  was  discovered, 
the  Commodore  and  1^500  of  his  men  were  on  shore;  but  before 
the  French  could  come  near  enough,  all  these  were  on  board, 
and  the  English  ships  ranged  in  the  best  possible  manner.  At 
11  o'clock,  Suffrein  led  into  the  bay,  and  attacked  with  great 
vigour,  but  was  met  by  a  gallantry  equal  to  his  own. 

After  two  hours  of  fierce  fighting,  the  French  withdrew  with 
the  loss  three  times  as  great  as  ours,  owing  to  the  rapidity  and 
precision  of  our  fire.  They,  however,  managed  to  capture  the 
Hinchenbrooke,  East  Indiaman,  but  she  was  retaken  by  the 
English  next  day.  Johnstone  prepared  to  pursue,  but  found 
that  the  I^is,  50,  Captain  Sutton,  wa'^  so  crippled,  in  rigging 
and  masts,  as  to  be  unable  to  obey.  While  he  was  waiting,  the 
precious  moments  slipped  by,  and  he  determined  to  advance  only 
at  the  a  similar  speed  as  the  merchantmen.  Suffrcin's  pace  was 
delayed  by  a  similar  cause.  Johnstone  was  so  annoyed  at 
having  been  forced  to  let  the  enemy  escape,  that  he  brought 
Captain  Sutton  to  a  court-martial  ;  he  was  honourably  acquitted. 

*  Thi.s  man  i.s  a  principal  character  in  Thackeray'.s  last  and  unfinished  novel. 
Denis  Duval. 


172  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  FlTSl-    t 

Johnstone,  on  his  way  to  the  Cape  after  this,  captured  a  Dutch 
East  Indiaman,  and  heard  that  Suffrein  had  reached  the  Cape ; 
hut  at  the  same  time  he  learnt  that  a  squadron  of  five  large 
Dutch  vessels,  laden  with  the  richest  produce  of  India  and 
China,  were  lying  in  Saldanha  Bay,  about  100  miles  north  of 
the  Cape  ;  he  at  once  made  sail  for  them.  The  enemy  were 
well  armed  with  twenty  to  twenty-four  guns  each,  although  of 
course  not  strong  enough  to  engage  with  Johnstone.  They  were 
unable  to  escape,  or  to  unload  their  cargoes,  so  they  ran  their 
ships  ashore,  and  set  fire  to  them.  Our  men  boarded  them, 
put  out  the  fires  on  all  hut  one,  and  as  high  water  floated 
them,  towed  them  off  in  triumph. 

As  it  was  now  impossible  to  attack  the  Cape  with  any  chance 
of  success,  Johnstone  divided  his  squadron,  sending  part  to 
reinforce  Sir  E.  Hughes,  under  Commodore  Alves,  returning 
himself  to  England  with  the  remainder.  After  the  engagement 
at  Porto  Praya,  Tyson  returned  to  England  in  the  HastingH,  so 
I  presume  he  was  wounded  in  the  engagement. 

The  fleet  having  met  with  severe  weather  while  steering  for 
Bombay,  Commodore  Alves  selected  four  men-of-war,  and  his 
best  sailing  transports,  with  700  of  98th  Regiment  under 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Fullarton,  and,  accompanied  by  General 
Medows,  pushed  for  Trincomalee,  where  they  joined  Hughes  in 
the  beginning  of  February  1782,  about  a  month  after  he  had 
captured  the  place. 

Colonel  Eoss,*  however,  went  on  to  Bombay  with  the  re- 
mainder of  the  squadron. 

The  fleet,  after  passing  the  Cape,  had  proceeded  by  the 
Mozambique  channel,  touching  at  Johanna,  one  of  the  Comoso 
islands  between  Mozambique  and  the  north  of  Madagascar. 

Meantime  Suffrein  proceeded  to  the  Mauritius,  and  having 
been  strengthened  by  a  powerful   reinforcement  from   that  place 

*  He  did  not  reach  Madras  till  the  middle  of  May  1782,  fourteen  months  after 
leaving  England, 


1782.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  173 

went  on  to  India.  His  fleet  consisted  of  twelve  line-of-battle  ships, 
four  frigates  (including  a  captured  one  of  ours,  the  Hannibal) , 
one  bomb,  one  cutter,  five  captured  vessels,  and  eight  large  armed 
transports  with  3,000  troops  under  Monsieur  Duchemin. 

While  on  his  way  from  the  Mauritius  he  effected  the  capture 
of  the  Hannibal,  50,  Captain  John  Byres  of  Madras  Engineers, 
with  some  other  officers  being  on  board,  were  made  prisoners. 
It  appears  that  having  been  appointed  a  Sub-Director  and 
Captain  of  Engineers  in  June  l78l,  he  embarked  on  the 
Deptford,  and  arriving  at  St.  Helena  found  H.M.'s  frigate 
Han7iibal,  Captain  A.  Christie,  about  to  sail  singly  and 
immediately  to  Madras.  Captain  Christie  ofiered  him  a  passage. 
They  left  St.  Helena  on  22nd  November,  and  on  22nd  January 
1782  were  surrounded,  and  taken  by  the  Fi'ench  fleet  under 
Suifrein,  fifteen  or  sixteen  days  before  the  latter  appeared 
before  Pulicat. 

Suflreins  object  was  to  blockade  Madras  by  sea,  while  Hyder 
Ali  attacked  it  by  land.  On  8th  February,  however.  Sir 
Edward  Hughes  appeared  with  nine  line-of-battle  ships,  one 
frigate,  and  one  fire-ship,  and  anchored  abreast  of  Madras,  taking 
on  board  as  marines,  300  officers  and  men  of  the  98th. 

On  15th  February,  the  French  steered  towards  Madras  Roads. 
When  they  saw  Hughes'  fleet  and  his  firm  attitude  they  declined 
an  engagement,  and  stood  lor  the  south.  Sir  E.  Hughes 
pursued.  On  the  16th,  he  found  the  enemy  had  separated  during 
the  night.  He  captured  six  vessels,  five  of  which  had  been 
taken  north  of  Madras;  the  sixth  was  the  Laurision,  captured 
by  the  Isis  (so  much  damaged  at  Port  Praya).  Many  French 
officers,  and  300  men  of  the  Regiment  of  Lausanne,  and  a 
valuable  cargo  of  military  stores  were  captured.  On  the  17th  a 
hot  action  took  place  between  the  two  fleets  off  Sadras.  It  was 
not  decisive,  but  was  well  fought  on  both  sides.  Our  squadron 
vrent  to  Trincomalee,  and  thence  soon  returned  to  Madras.  In 
our  fleet  127  men  were  killed  and  wuunded. 


174  MILITABY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1782. 

The  French  fleet  put  into  Porto  Novo.  Tippoo  Sahib,  after 
his  signal  victory  over  Braithwaite,  marched  at  once  to  Porto 
Novo,  and  on  the  10th  March  1782  all  the  infantry  and  marines 
of  the  French  fleet  joined  him,  when  he  immediately  marched 
against  Cuddalore,  which  capitulated,  as  already  mentioned  in 
the  previous  chapter. 

Captain  Byres,  with  two  other  officers.  Major  Russell  and 
Captain  Young,  having  remained  prisoners  on  board  a  French 
man-of-war  till  22nd  March,  must  have  been  present  at  the 
naval  action  ofl"  Sadras.  Byres  (in  a  high  fever)  was  then  sent 
on  shore  by  the  French  Admiral  on  his  parole  at  Porto  Novo, 
with  the  other  two  officers  to  go  to  Tranquebar,  but  not  beyond 
its  limits.  He  was  in  hopes  of  being  exchanged  with  an  officer 
taken  in  the  Lauristo7i,  and  wrote  accordingly  to  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief, Sir  Eyre  Coote. 

The  French,  finding  that  some  of  their  men  had  been  sent  to 
Bengal,  threatened  to  send  the  officers  to  Batavia,  or  the  Isle  of 
France.  However,  after  a  time,  Byres  was  allowed  to  go  to  Madras 
on  parole,  on  account  of  his  illness,  on  29th  May,  and  again 
addressed  Sir  Eyre  Coote  on  1st  June,  asking  to  be  exchanged  for 
the  Chevalier  de  Roncour,  a  captain  in  Legion  of  Lauzun,  who  was 
captured  prior  to  the  landing  of  the  French  troops  on  the  coast. 
On  the  I8th  June,  he  received  a  reply  that  Sir  Eyre  Coote  was 
sorry  "  for  his  irksome  situation,  but  that  the  officers  and 
soldiers  captured  in  the  beginning  of  the  war,  and  even  now  in 
chains,  experiencing  the  most  unheard-of  cruelties,  claim  my 
prior  attention  whensoever  a  cartel  may  be  finally  settled." 

On  Sir  Eyre  Coote  returning  to  Madras,  Byres  waited  on  him, 
and  said,  "  He  hoped  the  cartel  settled  in  Europe  would  be 
adopted  in  all  its  parts  as  it  had  been  in  part,  a  number  of 
French  surgeons  having  been  permitted  to  go."  The  Commander- 
in-Chief  said,  "Were  you  my  brother  I  would  not  exchange 
vou,  nor  will  I  exchange  any  prisoners  with  the  French  till  all 
those  taken  in  the  beginning  of  the  war  by  Hyder  Ali  are  first 


1782.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  175 

exchanged."  Byres  then  asked  to  be  allowed  to  serve  in  the 
north,  where  there  were  no  French ;  but  Coote  replied,  that  he 
could  not  allow  him  to  serve,  as  we  were  liable  to  be  attacked  by 
the  French  anywhere.  On  oth  October  1782,  Byres  appealed  to 
the  Governor,  Lord  Macartney,  but  was  not,  I  believe,  released 
from  his  parole  till  the  end  of  the  war. 

Meantime,  Coote's  army  had  been  kept  by  the  Counci]  for 
three  months  at  St.  Thomas'  Mount,  when,  by  a  march  to  Porto 
Novo,  it  might  have  opposed  the  junction  of  the  French  and 
Tippoo ;  or  at  any  rate  prevented  the  fall  of  Cuddalore.* 

At  last  Coote,  after  being  joined  in  end  of  April  1782  by 
78th  Highlanders,  800  strong,  marched  south  by  Carangooly  and 
Wandiwash  towards  the  confederates,  then  encamped  on  Red 
Hills  of  Pondicherry. 

After  the  junction  had  been  efifected  between  Tippoo  and  the 
French,  Monsieur  Suffrein  sailed  to  Battacolo,  a  port  in  Ceylon, 
about  seventy  miles  south  of  Trincomalee. 

The  British  squadron  was  reinforced  by  two  ships  of  the  line 
and  some  Indiamen. 

Sir  E.  Hughes,  having  equipped  his  fleet,  and  taken  on  board 
remainder  of  98th  to  complete  his  marines,  sallied  forth  in 
search  of  the  enemy.  General  Medows  accompanied  the 
Admiral  as  a  volunteer.  The  British  Admiral  fell  in  with  the  fleet 
(French)  just  as  they  had  set  sail  from  Battacolo,  on  9th  April, 
and  on  the  l2th  a  memorable  and  bloody  battle  ensued. 

This  action  was  perhaps  the  hottest  in  which  the  navies  of 
either  country  were  ever  engaged.  The  battle  continued  till  the 
close  of  day  put  an  end  to  it. 

In  the  British  fleet  137  were  killed,  and 
430  wounded ; 


Total   567 

•  Wickens  was  present  with  Coote's  army  ;  Johnstone  was  at  Negapatam, 
and  Salmon  at  Tanjore,  Banks  being  at  Trichinopoly. 


176  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  11782. 

Both  squadrons  remained  where  the  action  had  been  fought, 
but  neither  were  in  a  position  to  renew  the  battle. 

Their  ships  were  greatly  shattered,  and  the  men  overpowered 
with  fatigue. 

In  this  manner  both  fleets  lay  till  the  19th,  when  the  enemy 
stood  off  towards  Battacolo  to  refit,  and  Hughes,  a  few  days  after, 
entered  Trincomalee.  Great  sickness  prevailed  in  the  English 
squadron,  and  Hughes  was  obliged  to  remaiu  at  Trincomalee  till 
June. 

About  the  middle  of  May,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross  took  up 
his  post  as  Chief  Engineer,  and  shortly  after  requested  that 
he  might  be  allowed  pay  from  the  time  the  squadron 
entered  Saldanha  Bay.  The  Governor  in  reply  expressed  his 
approval  of  Lieutenant- Colonel  Ross's  conduct  during  the 
voyage  from  England,  but  said  that  his  request  must  be  referred 
home. 

To  return  to  Coote.  After  two  days'  march  from  Wandiwash 
we  got  a  full  view  of  the  enemy,  and  in  order  to  separate  the 
confederates,  Coote  suddenly  changed  his  route  to  the  west,  and 
encamped  before  Chittapet.  This  had  the  desired  effect,  for 
Hyder  hastened  to  its  relief,  leaving  his  French  allies  behind 
him.  Coote  then  struck  off  for  Arnee.  This  caused  Hyder  to 
redouble  his  expedition  in  pursuit,  and  on  2nd  June,  when 
we  were  about  three  miles  from  that  fort,  his  advanced 
parties  came  up  with  our  rear-guard,  and  opened  upon  it 
with  twenty  guns.  Colonel  Elphinstone  maintained  his 
ground,  and  Coote  formed  the  army  into  a  single  line  by 
causing  the  troops  to  face  about  and  file  off  to  the  left  of 
the  rear  battalion,  having  posted  a  brigade  of  infantry  and 
the  cavalry  under  Colonel  Owen  to  protect  the  baggage  in 
the  rear. 

As  soon  as  the  line  was  formed,  it  made  a  rapid  advance  upon 
the  enemy's  guns. 

The  Mysoreans  soon   retreated,  but  renewed  the   cannonade, 


1782.1  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  177 

whilst  the  British  were  obliged  to  halt  till  Owen  came  up  with  the 
baggage.  This  being  done,  we  again  advanced  on  the  enemy, 
who  retreated  across  the  River  Cheear ;  but  they  were  so  closely 
pursued,  that  seven  tumbrils  were  taken  by  the  73rd.  A 
battalion  of  the  Bengal  sepoys  on  the  left  advanced  likewise, 
and  captured  a  gun.  Coote,  seeing  both  these  regiments  in 
pursuit,  ordered  the  European  Grenadiers  to  their  support,  with 
the  light  infantry,  a  regiment  of  cavalry,  and  some  guns,  which 
pursued  the  enemy  a  little  further,  and  then  returned  to  the 
line. 

About  150  officers  and  men  were  killed  and  wounded  in  this 
affair.  The  British  army  encamped  that  night  on  the  field  of 
battle,  and  next  day  sat  down  before  Arnee  to  besiege  it;  but 
the  scarcity  of  grain  again  forced  Coote  expeditiously  to 
Madras. 

On  our  return  from  Arnee  at  Niddingul,  we  lost  our  grand 
guard,  consisting  of  one  regiment  black  cavalry,  two  guns,  and 
1 00  infantry. 

Hyder  sent  in  sight  a  few  loaded  elephants  and  camels  to 
attract  their  attention,  keeping  his  main  body  of  cavalry  con- 
cealed in  the  woods.  The  bait  induced  the  officer  in  command 
to  quit  his  post.  Hyder's  cavalry  immediately  rushed  out  on 
them,  and,  notwithstanding  a  gallant  defence,  the  whole  were  cut 
to  pieces 

The  army  proceeded  to  Wandewash,  and  on  the  20th  June 
reached  the  Mount. 

The  casualties  on  this  expedition,  were  at — 

Arnee           .              .              .              .  .150 

Seaforth's  corps,  from  heat  and  fatigue  .     160 

And  the  Grand  Guard         .             .  .     300 


Total         .     600 
Admiral  Suffrein  now  determined  to  lay  siege  to  Negapatnra. 

12 


178  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1782. 

Sir  Edward  Hughes  apprehended  his  design,   and  towards  the 
end  of  June  moved  his  squadron  to  Negapatam. 

On  5th  July,  the  French  fleet,  of  twelve  ships  of  the  line, 
besides  frigates,  came  in  sight ;  on  the  Gth,  a  very  warm  engage- 
ment took  place. 

The  French  Admiral,  from  the  misconduct  of  some  of  his 
captains,  had  to  withdraw,  and  pushed  for  Cuddalore.  Our  fleet 
returned  to  Negapatam,  and  then  to  Madras,  where  Hughes 
remained  refitting  till  the  20th  August.  In  the  meantime,  he 
despatched  two  of  his  best  sailing  ships,  with  200  men  from 
the  42nd  and  78th,  commanded  by  Captain  Hay  MacDowell,  to 
reinforce  Trincomalee, 

This  ofiBcer  superseded  Captain  Bonneveaux. 

The  detachment  arrived  in  safety,  and  the  ships  rejoined 
Hughes  on  12th  August. 

With  this  detachment  Captain  Banks  was  sent ;  also  Mr. 
Robert  Watson,  and  Mr.  Crawford  Lennox,  all  of  the  Engineers. 

On  Captain  ^MacDowell's  arrival,  he  found  the  two  forts,  but 
particularly  the  lower  one,  in  a  very  weak  state  of  defence,  and 
the  stores  and  ammunition  so  injudiciously  distributed,  that  the 
greatest  part  of  the  powder  lay  in  one  of  the  forts,  while  the 
balls  were  lodged  in  the  other.  Captain  MacDowell  had  scarcely 
begun  to  remedy  this  evil,  when  he  found  himself  besieged  by 
Suffrein,who  had  sailed  from  Cuddalore  toBattacolo,  and  thence, 
having  received  reinforcements,  quickly  laid  siege  to  Trincoma- 
lee. MacDowell  made  as  good  a  stand  as  he  could,  and  then 
capitulated  on  30th  August. 

A  court  of  inquiry  was  held  to  examine  the  conduct  of  oflBcers 
lately  at  Trincomalee  and  Fort  Ostenburg.  The  following  officers 
attended  :  Captains  MacDowell,  Bonneveaux,  and  Banks  (Madras 
Engineers),  Captain-Lieutenants  Sutcliffe  and  Saxon  (Artillery). 

The  Court  reported  that  there  were  grounds  for  a  court-martial 
respecting  surrender  of  Trincomalee. 

Captain  Bonneveaux,  Commanding  and  Acting  Chief  Engineer 


1782.]  MADBAS    ENGINEERS.  179 

(before  arrival  of  Captain  Banks),  tried  for  neglect  of  duty  in 
not  putting  forts  into  a  proper  state,  considering  the  number  of 
people  employed  and  money  charged.     Acquitted. 

Captain  AlacDowell,  tried  for  surrendering  Fort  Trincomalee 
to  the  French  under  Monsieur  Suffrein  on  oOth  August  1782. 
Acquitted. 

Captain  Banks,  Sub-Director  of  Engineers  and  Chief  Engineer, 
tried  for  not  taking  measures  in  time  to  defend  Trincomalee. 
Honourably  acquitted. 

Captain-Lieutenant  Saxon,  for  not  availing  himself  of  guns, 
shots,  &c.     Guilty  ;  suspended  for  six  months. 

Three  days  after  Trincomalee  had  capitulated,  Sir  E,  Hughes 
appeared  off  the  place,  and  another  action  took  place  between 
the  fleets  on  3rd  September. 

The  French  lost  1,100  men  killed  and  wounded,  while  we 
only  lost  348. 

Suffrein  publicly  disgraced  seven  of  his  captains  for  mis- 
conduct, and  his  fleet,  in  a  very  unmanageable  condition,  set 
sail  for  Trincomalee.  That  night  the  L'Orient  sank,  and  two 
others  stuck  upon  the  rocks,  but  were  got  oft'  again,  after 
sustaining  considerable  damage. 

The  British  fleet  v?as  too  disabled  to  pursue. 

Peace  had  now  been  made  with  the  Mahrattas,  it  having 
been  ratified  at  Poona  in  the  middle  of  May.  It  was  stipulated 
that  Hyder  should  at  once  evacuate  the  Carnatic.  If  he  should 
decline  to  do  so,  both  parties  to  the  treaty  were  to  unite,  and 
eflect  his  expulsion.  An  expedition  was  accordingly  taken  to 
Wandewash  for  the  purpose;  of  negotiating  with  him.  Hyder 
found  himself  so  well  supported  by  the  French,  that  he  rejected 
our  proposals,  and,  after  a  month's  fruitless  negotiations,  we 
returned  to  Madras. 

Another  excursion  to  the  relief  of  Vellore  succeeded,  and 
seven  month's  rice  was  thrown  in  on  .")th  August,  and  on  the 
^Oth,  the  army  again  retired  to  the  Presidency. 

12  ♦ 


180  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1782. 

Colonel  Lang  was  now  sent  to  command  the  Southern  Army, 
with  a  detachment  of  600  of  78th,  and  the  Madras  Europeans. 
These  went  to  Negapatam  by  sea,  and  joined  the  Southern  Army, 
which  now  again  began  to  appear  outside  Tanjore. 

Hyder,  meantime,  lay  encamped  at  Cuddalore,  until  his  army 
had  consumed  all  the  forage  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  then  he 
was  forced  to  retire  nearer  to  Trinomally. 

Lord  Macartney  now  resolved  on  the  reduction  of  Cuddalore, 
and  collected  vessels  to  carry  rice,  &c.,  for  the  siege.  Hughes 
engaged  to  occupy  SuflFrein. 

Coote  began  his  march  south  on  26th  August,  with  ten  days' 
rice  for  the  army,  and  arrived  at  Pondicherry  Red  Hills  on  4th 
September,  where  he  was  to  wait  for  supplies  from  the  rice  ships. 
On  the  day  on  which  (]oote  distributed  his  last  ration  of  grain 
to  the  troops.  Lord  Macartney's  rice  ships,  which  ought  to  have 
been  at  Pondicherry  on  the  10th,  had  not  then  passed  Madras, 
and  Coote,  with  great  reluctance,  had  to  abandon  the  expe- 
dition. 

Coote  was  suddenly  taken  ill,  and  was  not  only  obliged  to 
quit  the  army,  but  to  retire  to  Bengal  for  the  recovery  of  his 
health.  The  command  devolved  on  General  Stuart,  who  began 
his  retreat  to  Madras  on  evening  of  10th  September. 

On  15th  October,  a  violent  monsoon  storm  came  on,  and 
flooded  the  camp.  At  this  time  the  British  fleet  was  in  Madras 
Roads,  and,  the  gale  increasing,  put  to  sea.  The  admiral, 
who  was  at  the  time  giving  an  entertainment  on  board  the 
Superb,  was  under  the  necessity  of  carrying  his  guests  to  sea 
with  him. 

After  the  storm  abated,  the  army  broke  up,  and  marched  into 
cantonments  on  Choultry  Plain,  and  St.  Thom6,  and  Hyder 
retired  to  Arcot  and  its  environs. 

Sir  Eichard  Bickerton  now  made  his  appearance  in  the  Madras 
Roads  with  a  reinforcement  of  five  line-of-battle  ships  and  ten 
Indiamen,    with     23rd    Light     Dragoous,     101st    and     102nd 


1782.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  181 

Regiments  ;  and  18th  Hanoverians,  also  200  recruits  for  73rd 
and  78tb,  and  500  newly-raised  men  for  the  Company's  service. 
These  joined  the  army,  and  Bickerton  sailed  for  Bombay,  where 
he  arrived  as  soon  as  Sir  Edward  Hughes'  squadron. 

At  this  time,  owing  to  a  very  severe  famine,  provisions  were 
very  scarce,  and  the  allowances  to  the  army,  after  the  arrival  of 
these  reinforcements,  had  to  be  reduced  while  the  main  army 
was  in  cantonments  at  Madras 

Colonel  Humberston  Mackenzie  endeavoured  to  draw  Hyder 
from  the  Carnatic,  by  operations  on  the  Western  Coast. 

Colonel  H.  Mackenzie  overthrew  1,500  of  the  enemy  in  battle, 
took  Trincolore,  and  then  marched  to  Calicut.  His  force,  having 
been  increased  to  900  Europeans  and  2,000  Bombay  sepoys, 
joined  by  1,000  irregulars  sent  by  the  King  of  Travaucore, 
besides  eighteen  guns,  made  an  attempt  to  penetrate  into 
Mysore. 

He  proceeded  to  Palghant  with  great  expedition,  but  there 
learnt  that  he  would  be  opposed  by  a  superior  force  under 
Tippoo,  accompanied  by  M.  Lally.  He  resolved  on  a  retreat; 
but  it  had  no  sooner  commenced,  than  furious  attacks  were  made 
by  matchlock  infantry,  and  cavalry,  who  hung  upon  his  rear, 
and  took  baggage  and  cattle.  At  Ponauy,  Colonel  Mackenzie 
tood  post,  and  threw  up  entrenchments.  Twenty-four  hours 
after,  Tippoo  arrived,  and  made  a  general  attack  on  28th 
November.  Colonel  McLeod  at  this  instant  arrived  with  two 
battalions  of  the  42ud,  and  took  command.  Tippoo  was 
completely  defeated,  and  he  himself  wounded  in  the  thigh. 
His  troops  dispersed  Tippoo  hastened  back  to  the  main 
army,  but  before  he  reached  Vellore,  Hyder's  death  was  announced 
to  him. 

Hyder  had  been  for  some  time  in  declining  health,  and  upon 
7th  December  1782,  Tippoo  was  proclaimed  Nabob  of  Mysore. 

Hyder  had  lately  made  overtures  of  peace  to  us  ;  but  Tippoo 
no  sooner  found  himself  at  the  head  of  the   Mysore  army,  than 


182  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1782. 

he  dropped  the  negotiation,  gave  every  assurance  to  tlie  French 
of  his  attachment  to  them,  and  of  his  determination  of  prosecute 
a  vigorous  war  against  the  English. 

At  end  of  July  1782,  the  Corps  of  Engineers  was  composed  of 
the  following  Officers  : — 

Lieutenant- Colonel    Patrick    Ross,    lately    returned    from 

Europe. 
Major  George  Maule,  doing  duty  at  Madras. 

,,      Thomas  Geils,  at  home,  supernumerary. 
Captain  James  Johnstone,  Negapatam. 
,,       George  Banks,  Trincomalee. 
„       John  Byres,  prisoner  on  parole. 
,,       William  Gent,  Ganjam. 
,,       William  Prescott,  Masulipatam. 
Lieutenant  Charles  Salmon,  Tanjore. 

,,  Simon  Stuart,  prisoner  on  parole. 

„  John  Wickens,  with  the  army  under  Coote. 

Ensign  Elisha  Trapand,  Bencoolin. 
,,       John  Adam  Kissleback,  Nellore. 
„       George  Bong,  Pulicat. 
,,       Charles  Parsons  Ogg,  sick  at  Madras. 
„       Jacob  Hemming,  sick  at  Madras. 
,,       William  Collins  Tyson,  Negapatam. 
„       John  Guthrie,  Pulicat. 
„       Daniel  lennings,  Madras. 
„       Robert  Watson,  Trincomalee. 
,,       Crawford  Lennox,  Trincomalee. 

At  this  time  Lieutenant  Beatson  was  assistant  engineer  at 
Masulipatam,  although  not  an  officer  of  Engineers. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Ross,  after  his  return,*  asked  for  a  brevet 
of  colonel,  to  place  him  in  his  proper  position  in  the  army,  just 
before    Colonel    James,    of  the  Artillery,    who    had    meantime 

*  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross  at  this  time  recommended  that  Robert  Prescott 
and  John  Xorris  should  be  removed  from  Infantry  to  Engineers,  they  having 
applied  for  the  transfer  and  being  well  qualified. 


1783.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  1S3 

received  the  brevet  rank.     He  instances  precedents  to  justify  his 
demands. 

The  Committee  state  that  they  are  unable  to  grant  his  request, 
but  that  it  will  be  referred  to  the  Court  of  Directors. 

On  27th  December  1782,  Lieutenant- Colonel  Ross  was 
ordered  to  proceed  with  the  army,  with  such  a  number  of 
engineers  as  he  might  think  necessary.* 

This  order  does  not  appear  to  have  been  acted  on  till 
January  1783. 

The  army  marched  from  Vellont  on  25th  January,  and  took 
up  their  ground  at  Tannaveram  on  the  26th. 

On  6th  February,  the  army  arrived  at  Carangooly.  Lieutenant 
Wickens,  of  the  Engineers,  sank  several  mines  at  Carangooly, 
to  complete  the  demolition  of  the  place. 

On  the  9th,  the  army  arrived  at  Wandewash. 

On  the  18th,  General  Stuart  writes: — "This  evening  our 
mines  were  sprung  in  the  fort,  three  of  which  took  place  com- 
pletely, all  the  iron  guns  were  broken,  or  rendered  unservicable  , 
and  the  small  brass  guns  brought  away.  About  the  time  of 
springing  the  first  mine,  by  some  accident  the  powder  magazine 
blew  up,  and  five  or  six  people  were  killed  and  sixty  wounded. 
Lieutenant  Wickens  was  bruised  by  a  fall  he  got  at  tlie  time  of 
the  explosion." 

The  whole  force  of  Tippoo  was  at  this  time  close  at  hand, 
and  Stuart's  army  was  much  harassed  by  rocket  boys. 

On  the  4th,  he  writes : — 

"  I  did  everything  but  hang  one  of  the  rocket  boys,  he  went 
through  the  gallow's  ceremony,  and  was  pardoned  only  at  the 
last." 

On  the  15th,  the  outworks  at  Wandewash  were  blown  up,  and 
all  the  gates  were  burnt ;  the  fire  continued  burning  all  night. 

The  place  was  now  a  perfect  ruin. 

•  On  8th  November  1782,  Messrs.  Samuel  Saunter  and  Michael  Russell  were 
appointed  practitioner  engineers. 


184  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1783. 

On  the  17th,  the  army  encamped  at  Carangooly,  where  eleven 
mines  were  now  ready. 

By  the  19th,  Carangooly  was  effectually  ruined,  and  every- 
thing within  the  walls  thrown  down.  The  place  was  in  flames 
for  fourteen  hours. 

On  20th  February,  the  army  was  at  Chingleput,  and  on  the  3rd 
it  encamped  at  Poonamalee. 

In  this  expedition  we  sustained  some  considerable  loss 

Negapatam  Fort,  at  the  close  of  1.782,  was  being  briskly 
destroyed — Captain  Johnstone,  of  the  Engineers,  being  engaged 
on  the  work  By  March  1788,  the  demolition  was  complete.  The 
communication  between  Madras  and  Negapatam  being  inter- 
rupted by  the  enemy's  troops,  Johnstone,  together  with  Captain 
Donald  Campbell  (son  of  Colonel  Charles  Campbell),  embarked  in 
a  vessel,  and  proceeded  by  sea.  As  they  approached  Madras,  they 
were  chased  by  a  French  frigate,  and  taken  near  Fort  St.  George. 
The  captain  of  the  frigate  ordered  them  to  follow,  and  steered  to 
the  north  The  order  was  for  some  time  obeyed  ;  but  at  length 
night  fell,  and  a  fresh  and  favourable  breeze  aiding  the  attempt, 
they  put  about,  and  ran  for  Madras,  and  dropped  anchor  safely 
in  the  roads. 

Since  the  conclusion  of  peace  with  the  Mahrattas,  the  Bombay 
Presidency  found  themselves  able  to  make  more  strenuous  exer- 
tions in  favour  of  Madras  than  they  had  hitherto  done.  On  i2th 
December  1782,  General  Mathews  sailed  from  Bombay;  on 
the  18th,  he  landed  on  the  Malabar  coast,  and  took  the  fort  of 
Kajanumdroog  by  storm,  and  from  thence  marched  and  laid  siege 
to  Onore.  The  breach  was  deemed  practicable  on  5th  January, 
and  it  was  assaulted  at  noon,  with  success. 

On  27th  January,  he  tookBednore,  a  fort  well  built  and  strong, 
containing  seventy  pieces  of  cannon,  and  immense  quantities  of 
powder  and  ball,  with  8,000  stand  of  arms. 

Mangalore  was  his  next  object.  Tippoo,  on  hearing  this,  at 
once  left  the  Carnatic,  and,  previous  to  his  departure,  blew  up 


1783.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  186 

all  the  forts  he  possessed  in  the  Carnatic,  except  Arnee,  which 
was  left  in  charge  of  Sid  Sahib,  who  had  orders  to  attend  the 
French  at  Cuddalore  with  2,000  cavalry.  In  returo  for  this,  the 
French  sent  a  corps  of  000  men  with  Tippoo's  army,  under 
Monsieur  Consigny. 

Meanwhile,  Mathews  reduced  Mangalore,  Anantpore  &c. 
leaving  Major  Campbell  with  the  42nd  Highlanders  to  garrison 
Mangalore.     He,  also,  occupied  all  the  other  forts  he  captured. 

Thus,  instead  of  destroying  the  forts  he  took,  and  concentrating 
his  force,  he  frittered  away  his  army  in  garrisoning  a  number  of 
places,  so  that  in  Bednore,  where  was  Iiis  principal  division,  he 
had  but  400  Europeans  and  1,200  sepoys.  Tippoo's  whole  force 
surrounded  Bednore,  and  the  French  troops,  with  Tippoo's 
Engineers,  began  their  approaches  towards  Bednore.  Thev  met 
with  every  opposition  that  could  be  suggested  by  men  of 
experience  and  valour  ;  but  after  a  Council  of  War,  it  was  agreed 
that  they  should  capitulate  on  honourable  terms.  The  garrison 
accordingly  surrendered  on  2nd  May,  but  the  terms  of 
capitulation  were  disregarded.  After  the  fall  of  Bednore,  every 
other  place  gave  way  in  succession  to  Tippoo,  until  he  arrived 
at  Mangalore,  which,  owing  to  the  gallant  defence  by  Campbell, 
put  a  stop  to  his  victorious  career. 

About  the  time  General  Mathews  landed  on  the  western  coast, 
Colonel  Lang,  with  a  force  of  about  6,000  men,  was  in  camp  at 
Manserpett,  in  an  inactive  state  It  was  not  until  22nd 
February,  that  he  was  instructed  to  act  on  the  offensive.  At  that 
time  he  was  at  Coiladdy. 

On  9th  March  he  was  directed  to  cooperate  with  Mathews. 
It  was  at  this  time  that  Colonel  Fullarton  arrived  at  Negapatam 
from  Tranquebar,  to  join  Colonel  Lang.  The  news  at  this  time 
received  from  Mathews,  was  to  the  effect,  that  the  enemy  had 
advanced  within  thirty  miles  of  Bednore,  and  that  he  was  obliged 
to  act  on  the  defensive,  but  intended  to  maintain  Bednore. 

General    Stuart  recommended   the  attack  of  Cuddalore,   and 


186  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  IH783. 

annihilation  of  French  on  this  side,  as  the  best  means  of  drawing 
Tippoo  away  from  the  west  coast,  and  thought  that  Colonel 
Lang  should  be  ordered  to  take  possession  of  Chillumbrum  and 
Palamcottah,  and  engage  the  Warriorepolliem  Poligars  to  our 
interest. 

On  4th  April,  General  Stuart  was  urged  by  the  Council  to 
march  shortly  to  Chingleput,  and  thence  against  the  enemy. 
General  Stuart  agreed  to  obey  the  orders  of  Government  to 
march,  but  threw  on  them  the  responsibility  of  fixing  a  date, 
and  considered  that  the  time  had  not  yet  arrived,  as  supplies  were 
not  sufficiently  ready.  General  Mathews,  at  this  time,  called 
urgently  for  reinforcements  ;  and  on  13th  April,  the  Council 
asked  the  opinions  of  General  Stuart  and  Colonel  Pearse. 
General  Stuart  protested  against  reinforcements  being  sent  to 
West  Coast,  gave  in  his  plan,  and  requested  that  it  might  be  con- 
sidered. Sir  Edward  Hughes  now  arrived  with  sixteen  ships-of- 
the-line,  two  frigates,  a  cutter,  and  a  fire-ship,  and  it  was  determined 
that  the  army  was  to  march  towards  Cuddalore  on  the  20th  or  2 1  st. 
General  Stuart  insisted  that  Colonel  Lang  should  join  him,  and 
that  together,  they  should  attack  Cuddalore.  The  Council  at  first 
objected  to  this  proposal,  but  finally  agreed,  with  the  proviso  that 
garrisons  were  left  sufficient  to  maintain  our  footing  to  the  south. 

The  engineers  with  General  Stuart's  army  were  :  — 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross,  Chief  Engineer. 
Captain  Johnstone. 

,,         George  Banks. 
Ensign  Hemming. 

,,       Norris. 

„      Dyce. 

„      Saunter. 

„      .fennings. 
Lieutenant  Wickens  was  aide-de-camp  to  Chief  Engineer. 
Colonel  Lang,  meantime,  had  marched  against  Caroor.      He 


1783.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  187 

sat  down  before  the  place  on  20th  March,  and  was  under  the 
necessity  of  carrying  on  regular  approaches.  The  place  had  a 
good  glacis,  covered-way,  deep  dry  ditch  with  revetment,  and 
very  high  wall.  Lieutenant  Charles  Salmon  was  the  engineer. 
Every  inch  of  the  ground  was  disputed,  until  at  last  we  gained 
the  crest  of  the  glacis,  and  made  a  lodgment  The  enemy 
suffered  severely  in  attempting  to  prevent  this. 

Our  losses  were  as  follows  : — 

1  Lieutenant  and    6  Europeans  killed. 

15  Sepoys  ,, 

I  Lieutenant  and  35  Europeans  wounded. 

48  Sepoys  „ 

Total  killed  and  wounded,  106. 

Caroor  was  taken  on  2nd  April. 

Lang  next  marched  to  Aravaooorchy.  On  the  16th,  a  battery 
of  three  18-pounders  was  opened  against  the  fort  ;  by  noon 
there  was  a  tolerable  breach,  which  was  instantly  stormed  by 
Captain  Maitland,  at  the  head  of  100  Europeans,  and  four  com- 
panies of  sepoys.  Enemy  lost  400,  while  ours  was  trifling — 
only  six  killed  and  wounded. 

On  4th  May,  Colonel  Lang,  still  commanding,  took  the  lower 
fort  of  Dindigul  by  storm,  at  4  a.m.  After  we  had  made  a  breach 
in  the  upper  fort,  they  asked  for  "  Cowle,"*  and  the  Colonel  was 
in  possession  of  the  whole  fort,  which  is  very  strong,  bv  10  a.m. 

Colonels  Ross,  Lang,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Arthur  Owen, 
were  in  April  appointed  colonels,  but  they  w.  re  to  rank  under 
His  Majesty's  colonels ;  consequently  Colonels  Fullarton  and 
Forbes  became  senior.  Colonel  Fullarton  was  ordered  to  take 
command  of  the  Southern  army,  and  Colonel  Lang  to  join  the 
Main  army. 

By  this  time,  General  Stuart's  army  had  proceeded  south,  and 
on  2nth  April  took  possession  of  Permacoil. 

*  This  means  they  asked  "for  quarter." 


188  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1783. 

Here  the  rest  of  the  army  joined  him  on  2nd  May.  While 
encamped  on  the  banks  of  the  Palar,  they  heard  of  the  death  of 
Coote  (who  had  come  from  Bengal  to  take  command),  in  the 
Madras  Roads.  The  vessel  in  which  he  came  was  chased  by  a 
French  cruiser  for  the  greater  part  of  the  voyage,  and  this 
operated  so  strongly  upon  the  anxious  mind  of  Coote,  as  to 
bring  on  a  stroke  of  palsy,  of  which  he  died  on  26th  April,  and 
Major-General  Stuart  now  became  Commander-in-Chief  over  all 
the  British  forces  in  India.  From  Permaeoil  the  army  advanced 
to  Killinore,  and  received  a  supply  of  rice  from  Condamoor,  after 
which  it  proceeded  to  the  Red  Hills,  Pondicherry,  where  an 
advanced  party  of  the  French  were  surprised.  A  very  long  time 
had  been  wasted  near  Permaeoil,  waiting  for  the  sailing- 
squadron,  and  arrival  of  our  store-ships  and  reinforcements^  under 
Major-Generals  Bruce  and  Waugenheim.  It  was  the  beginning 
of  June  before  General  Stuart  was  able  to  proceed ;  but  at 
length,  on  4th  June,  the  British  camp  was  pitched  on  the  banks 
of  the  Poniar,  five  miles  west  of  Cuddalore  bound  hedge. 

The  Chief  Engineer  was  employed  in  making  a  post  at 
Kilanore  Pagoda  tenable.  It  was  intended  for  the  storage  of 
rice.  On  23rd  May,  General  Stuart  wanted  to  know  what  orders 
had  been  sent  to  Colonel  Fullarton — again  insisting  on  his 
junction;  and  on  the  31st,  sent  positive  orders  to  Colonel 
Fullarton,  by  Trichinopoly,  to  move  towards  the  Culeroon. 
Shortly  after,  the  President  disapproved  of  Colonel  Fullarton 
being  ordered  to  join  the  main  army,*  and  reminded  General 
Stuart  of  the  reinforcements  he  had  had.  (At  the  end  of  April 
600  Europeans  had  been  sent  by  sea  to  reinforce  him  ) 

The  President  complained  of  his  inaction,  and  recommended 
him  to  advance  on  Cuddalore. 

Colonel  Fullarton,   on  taking  command,   proceeded   to  Dara- 


*  On  21st  April,  Colonel  Fullarton  had  been  ordered  to  send  a  detachment 
to  main  army  if  General  Stuart  should  require  it 


1783.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  189 

pooram,  and  encamped  before  it  on  23rd  ^May,  after  a  march  of 
twelve  hours.  At  3  a.m.,  Colonel  Fullarton  proceeded  with  some 
Europeans  and  two  battalions  of  sepoys  to  take  possession  of  a 
very  strong  post  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  within  300  yards  of 
the  fort ;  had  his  men  under  cover  before  daylight ;  at  8  a.m. 
opened  a  small  mortar-battery,  and  before  3  p.m.  a  three-gun 
battery.  A  breach  was  effected  about  6  p.m.,  and  the  place  was 
taken  at  day-break  on  1st  June.  Colonel  Fullarton  had  put 
Caroor  into  a  state  to  be  readily  destroyed,  but  finding  it  useful, 
deprecated  its  destruction. 

On  17th  June,  Colonel  Fullarton  was  ordered  by  Lord 
Macartney,  the  Governor,  not  to  obey  in  future  any  orders  of 
General  Stuart,  unless  confirmed  by  the  Council. 

General  Stuart,  with  his  army,  made  a  judicious  diversion, 
and  passed  the  Poniur  river  in  view  of  the  whole  French  line, 
who  did  not  venture  to  oppose  our  passage.  Our  army  passed 
the  Bandapollam  Hills  on  6th  June,  and  took  up  a  strong  camp 
not  two  miles  from  the  south  face  of  Cuddalore,  situated  on  a  sandy 
desert,  with  its  right  flank  resting  on  the  sea,  and  its  left  posted 
against  the  Bandapollam  hills,  its  front  being  screened  from  the 
fort  by  plantations  of  palmira  trees,  and  the  brushwood  of  the 
bound  hedge. 

Stuart  omitted,  however,  to  take  possession  of  the  bound 
hedge  ;  and  during  the  night  of  the  7th,  Monsieur  de  Bussy 
quitted  the  north  side  of  Cuddalore,  and  fixed  himself  in  the 
southern  hedge,  where  he  immedialely  began  with  the  utmost 
assiduity  to  throw  up  strong  redoubts  and  lines  of  entrench- 
ments, at  the  same  time  advancing  his  guards  and  pickets  close 
to  our  sentries. 

Six  days  elapsed,  during  which  the  armies  remained  watch- 
ful of  each  other — the  French  busily  engaged  in  fortifying 
themselves,  and  the  British  employed  in  debarkation  of  some 
troops,  and  landing  stores  and  ammunition. 

'I  he    Pionet'is,  &c.,  under    the  orders   of  the  Engineers,  were 


190  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1783. 

engaged  in  making  fascines,  gabions,  charcoal,  mallets,  tool- 
handles,  &c. 

On  the  11th  June,  the  engineers  were  employed  in  carrying 
down  materials  and  tools  to  a  bank  and  choultry  in  front  of  the 
left-hand  picquet,  close  under  Bandapollam  Hills. 

During  this  interval,  the  Chief  Engineer  and  other  field 
officers  were  engaged  in  recounoiteriug.  Lieutenant- Colonel 
Kelly  passed  secretly  over  the  Bandapollam  Hills,  through 
almost  impenetrable. thickets,  where  he  saw  the  whole  dispo- 
sitions on  the  enemy's  right,  and  the  construction  of  a  new 
battery  on  a  commanding  hill  to  cover  that  flank. 

On  the  7th,  the  Chief  Engineer  and  the  Quartermaster- 
General  had  a  narrow  escape  from  being  shot.  They  were 
pushing  forward  to  reconnoitre,  when  Colonel  Ross's  horse- 
keeper  was  wounded  by  a  cannon-ball,  and  one  of  the  troopers 
of  the  escort  was  shot. 

General  Stuart  called  a  Council  of  War,  composed  of  General 
Bruce  and  Colonel  Stuart,  also  tlie  Chief  Engineer,  and  the 
officers  commanding  the  Bengal  and  Coast  Artillery,  to  know  if 
everything  was  ready  for  an  attack.  Finding  everything  prepared, 
the  capture  of  the  outposts  and  redoubts  was  resolved  on.  The 
General's  orders  were  as  follows: — "  Major-General  Bruce  and 
Colonel  Edmonston  to  command  the  picket  on  the  right.* 
Colonels  Stuart,  Cathcart,  and  Blane  to  lead  the  picket  on  the 
leftjt  and  the  centre  picket,^  or  grand  guard,  to  be  led  by 
Colonels  Elphinstone  and  VVaugenheim,  joined  by  J  01st  Hano- 
verians, two  battalions  sepoys,  Madras  European  regiment  with 
a  party  of  Madras  pioneers,  under  Colonel  Kelly.  Colonel 
Gordon  to  command  troops  off  duty,  and  the  reserves,  who 
were  to  form  in  front  of  our  camp.  The  rest  of  cavalry  to  be 
under  Colonel  Campbell,  and  wait  on  the  General. 

*  With  the  78th  and  one  battalion  sepoys. 

f  Grenadiers,  73rd,  and  two  battalions  sepoys. 

I  One  regiment  cavalry  and  one  battalion  sepoys. 


ymm^^^"^ 


it  before  the  Attack  of  the  Enemy's  lines.     C  C  C. — Route  of 

'lliot's  Battery  of  Six  18-prs.  F. — Major  Mackay^s  Battery 
advanced.  I. — Position  of  Kelly's  Brigade  after  dispersing 
'ol.  Eljihinston.     M. — Rally  of  the  Centre  Division  after  they 

'araUel  of  the  British.     P. — Sally  by  the  Enemy  on  the  25thi 

tluded. 


v^ 


BATTLE     OF     CUDDALORE. 

Gained  by  11,000  British  Troops,  under  Major-General  Stuart,  over  11,000  French  and  Mysorians,  under  Mons.  Bussy,  on  the  IZth  June,  1783. 


KEi'KJKENUES. 

Cot  K^,7^'"  ^"fu"'"'  T-  ^""'^^  "^  "^^  ^°°P'  '"'^'^"  '**  ^"^'-     ^  ^  S.-Di3po.ition  0/  the  BrUM  Troop,  the  Night  before  the  Attack  of  the  Enemy',  tine..     C  C  C.-RouU  of 
of  Four  12^..     a.-clpt'ZlZl^-  iTjy.yjI^i^'!'!  ""t  *t:^"f  *  ofJh^Fr^h  Battery  li.  upono.  hill.     E.-Col.  Elliofe  Battery  of  Six  18-prs.     F.-Major  Mackafj  Battery 


Battery  of  Sxx  18-pr,.     ^.~The  large  French  Bedout,  to  which  the  lOlet  and  Hanoverians  advanced.     l.—Po,ition  of  Kelly  e  Brigade  afUr  dieperaing 
„-_„      .    ■«""';/'"'  -f^"'  Pontxon  of  the  Orenadiere  and  73rd  Begiimnt.     J^.-Advan^e  of  the  Centre  Divieion  under  Col.  Elphimton.     H.-Mally  of  the  Centre  Divinon  after  they 
•■L  ^^r..1   ..  ."TT.f  the  grenadier,  and  Bighlandere,  eupported  by  the  Sepoy,  and  EeUy'.  BHgade.     0.~Fir.t  ParaUel  of  the  BritUh.     F.-Sally  by  the  Enemy  on  the  2&th. 
'  "       '  resorted  m  the  Evening,,  for  Convertaiion,  after  Peace  vxu  coneluded. 


Tippoo'.  Troop,. 

retreated. 

Q.~Choultry  and  Tree,  to  which  the  British  and  French 


1783.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  191 

"The  artillery  attached  to  right  wing,  and  6-gun  hattery  on  the 
right  to  be  directed  by  Captain  Montague. 

"  Lieutenant-Colonel  Elliot  to  command  battery  of  six 
18-pounders  on  our  left,  \Yithin  800  yards  of  French  redoubt. 

"  Another  battery  of  four  12-pounders,  placed  still  further  to 
the  left,  to  be  commanded  by  Major  Mackay." 

The  General  took  post  in  Lieutenant-Colonel  Elliot's  battery. 
The  attack  began  at  4  a.m.  on  13th  June.  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Kelly  followed  the  circuit  he  had  made  the  preceding  day  over 
the  Bandapollam  Hills  (a  party  of  Madras  Pioneers  were  under 
his  command),  and  gave  the  first  alarm  by  a  brisk  attack  upon 
the  battery  on  high  ground  to  west  of  French  redoubt,  and 
succeeded  in  taking  it. 

The  British  flag  was  instantly  hoisted  as  a  signal,  and  Colonel 
Elliot  and  Major  Mackay  at  once  opened  a  furious  cannonade 
on  the  large  redoubt  in  the  centre  of  the  enemy's  camp.  Colonel 
Kelly  now  turned  their  own  guns  upon  them  from  the  height  of 
which  he  had  taken  possession,  completely  enfiladed  the  whole 
line,  and  threw  them  into  such  confusion  that  Tippoo's  sepoys 
were  dispersed,  and  left  an  opening  for  the  Grenadiers  and 
Highlanders  to  fall  on  the  right  flank  of  their  European  line; 
while  the  centre  division,  under  Colonel  Elphinstone,  attacked 
the  large  redoubt  in  front ;  and  the  right  wing,  under  General 
Bruce,  made  a  corresponding  movement  from  their  position. 
Our  left  wing  had  moved  round  a  part  of  Bandapollam  Hills 
under  a  very  severe  cannonade,  and  lay  behind  a  small  hedge 
(on  the  ground  from  which  Tippoo's  sepoys  had  fled)  until  the 
10 1st  Hanoverians  had  advanced  to  attack  redoubt  in  front, 
which  kept  up  such  a  furious  discharge  of  round  shot,  grape 
and  musketry,  that  these  two  corps  were  forced  to  give  way, 
after  some  of  them  had  mounted  the  breastwork.  The  enemy 
rushed  from  their  works  in  pursuit,  when  the  Grenadiers  and 
73rd,  who  were  by  this  time  advancing,  availed  themselves  of 
this   mistake,   enltred  the   redoubt  from    which  the  French  had 


192  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1783. 

sallied,  and  commenced  a  heavy  fire  on  their  rear.     The  French, 
aware  now   of  their  error,    moved    confusedly  ofif  to    the    next 
hattery  on  their  left. 

Thus  the  brunt  of  this  obstinate  battle  was  sustained  by  the 
Grenadiers  and  Highlanders,  supported  by  Colonel  Blaue  with 
rest  of   left   wins:,    and    Kelly's    brigade,   who    with    undaunted 
courage  advanced  towards  the  enemy's  left  flank,  carrying  every 
thing  before  them  as  they  proceeded,  though  with  dreadful  loss, 
as  flanking  batteries    had  been  placed   by  the  enemy  at  every 
convenient  spot,    behind  which   they    might  retire,    and  which 
incessantly  poured    out  grape  shot  and  langredge,  accompanied 
by  musketry  and  grenades. 

Four  more  of  these  batteries   and  guns  were  carried  by  this 
valiant  body  before   they  halted;  but  at  last,  finding  themselves 
under   the  guns   of  Cuddalore,   they  desisted,   and  fell  back  on 
the  large  French  redoubt,  wliich,  being  situated  on  an  eminence, 
commanded  all  the  rest. 

This   contest  did  not  end  till  5  p.m.,  when    a    cessation  of 
firing  took  place,  and   both  lines  lay  on  their  arms  to  be  ready 
for  a  renewal  of  the  fight  next  day. 

Eighteen  pieces  of  artillery  were   taken.     The   loss  on    both 
sides  was  very  heavy.     We  lost — 

14  European  officers  ..  killed. 

40  ,,  ...         wounded. 

6  Native  oflBcers    ...  ...         killed. 

14  ,,  ...  ...         wounded. 

161  Europeans  ...  ...  killed. 

387  ,,  ...  ...  wounded. 

17  ,,  ...  ...  taken  prisoners. 

62  Native  Infantry  ...         killed. 

277              ,,  ...  wounded. 

1              „               ...  ...  taken  prisoner. 

18  Native  Artillery  ...  killed. 
42             ,,  ...  wounded. 

Total     1,020,  of  whom  251  were  killed. 


1783.]  MADKAS    ENGINEERS.  193 

The  French  lost — 

14  officers  killed. 

25         „      wounded. 

116  Europeans  killed. 
259  „         wounded. 

361  of  Tippoo's  Natives  killed  and  wounded. 

Total  775,  besides  6  officers  and  35  Europeans  taken  prisoners. 

This  last  statement  is  the  French  account,  and  probably  under 
the  mark. 

The  following  order  was  issued  by  General  Stuart: — "The 
Commander-in-Chief  having  taken  minutely  to  investigate 
the  conduct  and  execution  of  the  orders  and  plans  in 
attacking  the  enemy's  outposts,  lines  and  redoubts  on  the  13th, 
with  the  comparative  strength,  numbers  and  position  of  the 
enemy,  composed  almost  entirely  of  the  best  regular  troops  of 
France,  takes  this  occasion  to  give  it  as  his  opinion  to  this 
brave  army  in  general,  that  it  is  not  to  be  equalled  by  anything 
he  knows  or  has  heard  of  in  modern  history,  whetlier  we  look 
to  extent  and  entire  success,  or  to  the  national  importance  of 
that  day's  complete  victory.  He  takes  this  opportunity  to 
return  his  thanks  to  Major-General  Bruce,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Cathcart,  ^Major  Moore,  and  Corps  of  Grenadiers,  and  to  Colonel 
Stuart,  who  supported  them  with  pickets  of  the  left,  and  under 
whose  command  the  French  redoubt  was  successfully  entered  and 
carried  ;  to  Colonel  Gordon,  who  commanded  the  reserve  ;  to 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross,  Chief  Engineer,  to  whose  abilities  he 
is  so  much  indebted  ;  to  Lieutenant- Colonel  Kelly  ;  to  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Elliot  and  Major  Mackay,  under  whom  the  artillery 
was  so  well  directed  that  day.  To  Captain  Lamont  and  the 
precious  remains  of  73rd,  and  in  general  to  the  officers  and  corps 
of  H.M.'s,  and  of  the  Company's  troops,"  &c. 

After  the  business  of  the  13th  our  army  lay  on  its  arms  for 

13 


194  MILITARY    HISTOEY    OF    THE  [1783. 

thirty  hours,   and  then  steps  were  taken  to  fortify  the  position 
acquired,  the  right  of  which  was  within  a  mile  of  Cuddalore. 
The  Corps  of  Engineers  was  now  formed  into    the   foHowing 

brigades : — 

/■Captain  Banks. 
1  St  Brigade     \  Ensign  Hemming. 


2nd  Brigade 


^Ensign  Norris. 
Captain  Johnstone. 
Ensign  Dyce. 
Ensign  Saunter. 
Ensign  Ogg. 


(li,nsign  Ugg. 
^^d^"^^d^     lEnsign  Jennings. 

The  Engineer  of  the  trenches  was  ordered,  in  future,  to  make 
out  a  report  of  working  parties  employed  by  him. 

In  the  parallel  there  were  Bengal  and  coast  sepoys. 

In  the  redoubt.  Pioneers  and  Lascars. 

As  an  encouragement  to  followers  to  assist  in  providing 
materials,  the  following  rates  were  paid  : — 

For  gabions,  4 J  feet  by  3 J  diameter        ...  5  fanams. 

3J  feet  by  2^         „  ...  4 

Fascines,  12  feet  long       ...  ...  ...  2        ,, 

„  9        ,,  ...  ...  ...  I2      " 

„  6        „  1 

Bamboos,   12    feet    long   by    3   inches    to 

4  inches  diameter  ...  ...  ...  1        ., 

Bamboos,    12    feet  long   by    2  inches  to 

3  inches  diameter  ...  ..  ...  ^       ,, 

By  the  24th  June,  our  first  parallel,  and  supporting  redoubts 
were  finished.  The  French  having  landed  some  men  from  their 
fleet;  made  an  attack  on  our  first  parallel.  At  first  our  troops 
fell  back  a  little  ;  but  getting  in  their  rear  afterwards,  made  great 
slaughter  among  them,and  put  them  completely  to  the  rout,  leaving 
200  dead,  and  30  wounded  behind  them,  besides  one  colonel,  one 
major,  one  captain,  two  drummers,  and  thirty  privates  prisoners. 


T83.1  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  195 

The  French  in  this  assault  attacked  our  parallel  on  the  right 
flank.  Their  principal  attack  seems  to  have  been  directed  to  the 
right  of  our  parallel,  but  they  had  no  idea  we  had  completed  a 
redoubt  there,  the  fire  from  which  galled  them  very  severely. 
Our  people  behaved  wonderfully  well,  and  the  sepoys  mixed 
their  bayonets  with  those  of  the  French.  Nothing  could  exceed 
their  steadiness. 

We  had  only  fifty- three  officers  and  men,  killed  and  wounded. 

Killed — Two  officers  and  two  Europeans. 

„         One  Native  officer  and  nine  Natives. 
Wounded — Two  officers  and  three  Europeans. 

,,  Four  Native  officers  and  thirty  Natives. 

On  the  same  day  General  Stuart  called  a  meeting,  composed 
of— 

Chief  Engineer,  Lieutenant- Colonel  Ross, 
Second  Engineer,  Captain  Johnstone, 
with  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Artillery  ;  also  the   two  next  in 
command, — 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Elliot  and  Major  Mackay, 
and  Captain  Montague. 

A  statement  was  received  from  the  Chief  Engineer,  showing 
the  means  we  had  for  duty  at  arms,  and  for  working  parties,  and 
the  small  quantity  of  materials  ready  for  carrying  on  approaches 
Considering  the  enemy's  power  by  laud  and  sea,  it  was  resolved 
unanimously  to  abide  by  strengthening  the  parallel  and  redoubt  for 
the  present,  without  making  our  approaches,  so  that  the  enemy 
might  not  discover  where  we  meant  to  erect  our  batteries,  until 
we  had  the  stock  of  materials  completed  sufficient  in  one  day 
to  erect  them  ;  and  meanwhile  we  proposed  to  annoy  the  enemy's 
working  parties  by  our  field-pieces. 

Meantime  Tippoo  had  recovered  Bednore,  taken  General 
Matthews  prisoner,  and  invested  Mangalore.  Colonel  FuUarton 
had    taken   Darapooram    on   2nd  June.     General    Stuart    still 

13  * 


196  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1783. 

insisted  on  Colonel  Fullarton  joining  him  before  Cuddalore,  and 
sent  him  positive  orders  to  do  so.  The  Council  ordered  Colonel 
Fullarton  to  recross  the  river,  and  continue  to  the  south. 
Colonel  Fullarton  was  thus  placed  in  a  very  embarrassing  posi- 
tion ;  but  as  he  had  heard  of  French  reinforcements  by 
Suffrein's  squadron,  he  determined  on  marching  towards  General 
Stuart,  leaving  Colonel  Forbes  in  command  of  the  Southern 
Provinces.  It  should  have  been  mentioned  before,  that  Monsieur 
SufFrein,  with  fifteen  sail,  appeared  on  14  th  June.  Sir  Edward 
Hughes,  then  at  Porto  Novo,  dropped  down  to  Cuddalore,  and 
on  the  17th,  about  4  p.m.,  a  sharp  action  commenced  Hughes 
had  eighteen  sail,  and  so  had  the  advantage  in  ships,  but  the 
enemy  were  far  superior  in  men.  Our  fleet  Avas  half  manned  by 
natives  of  India,  and  sickness  prevailed  amongst  our  seamen. 
Sir  Edward  maintained  the  fight  till  night  came  on,  when  he 
was  obliged  to  steer  for  Madras.  This  occasioned  great  dis- 
appointment to  General  Stuart  and  the  army.  Next  morning 
Suffrein's  squadron  came  to  anchor  in  Cuddalore  roads,  and 
landed  a  strong  detachm.ent.  This  naval  engagement  took  place 
in  view  of  the  army. 

On  .SOth  June,  General  Stuart  heard  from  Colonel  Fullarton 
that  he  might  expect  him  on  5th  July. 

On  25th  June,  the  President  wrote  a  minute  complaining  of 
General  Stuart's  dilatoriness  in  not  having  the  army  in  readiness 
to  march  to  take  advantage  of  Hyder's  death  ;  of  the  slow  pro- 
gress he  made  on  his  march  to  Cuddalore  ;  of  his  conduct  in 
ordering  Colonel  Fullarton  to  join  him;  of  his  procrastination 
in  attacking  the  enemy's  redoubts  on  the  13th,  &c. ;  and  proposed 
that  a  flag  of  truce  be  sent  to  M.  Bussy  of  the  peace,  and  that 
the  army  should  cease  hostilities. 

The  two  fleets  were  preparing  for  a  sixth  battle,  when 
in  June  1783,  news  reached  India  that  the  preliminaries 
of  peace  had  been  agreed  on  between  all  the  belligerent 
Powers, 


1783.]  MADKAS   ENGINEERS.  197 

The  southern  army  was  to  be  reinforced,  and  General  Stuart 
to  be  recalled  to  the  Presidency 

Messrs.  Sadleir  and  Staunton  were  accordingly  sent  in  an 
English  frigate  to  Cuddalore,  to  treat  with  M.  Bussy;  but  no 
intimation  of  this  was  sent  to  General  Stuart,  and  the  Commis- 
sioners held  no  communication  with  him. 

On  1st  July  he  wrote  as  follows,  and  complained  that  "the 
English  frigate  had  her  cartel  flag  up  the  whole  night;  she  is 
anchored  in  the  midst  of  the  French.  They  continue  their 
working  parties,  we  fire  upon  them,  and  they  return  the  compli- 
ment, as  usual.  No  message  of  any  sort  has  been  sent  us,  and 
though  I  am  Commander-in-Chief,  and  a  member  of  your  Govern- 
ment, I  neither  have  any  communication,  nor  have  I  any  letter 
later  than  17th  June,  and  yet  there  are  twenty  letters  in  this 
army  as  late  as  the  2.'5th."  The  two  English  Commissioners 
had  arrived  on  30th  June,  wrote  their  report  of  negotiations  on 
2nd  July,  and  left  in  Medea  for  Fort  St.  George  on  3rd  July, 
returning  to  Madras  on  the  4th.  Copies  of  their  letter  were 
sent  to  the  Chief  of  Tellicherry,  Colonel  Jones  (commanding  in 
the  north),  Colonel  Fullarton,  Mr.  Sullivan  (civil  officer  in  the 
south),  and  Major  Campbell  (commanding  at  Mangalore),  but 
none  was  sent  to  General  Stuart. 

The    Council    approved    of   conduct    of    the   Commissioners 
General  Stuart  was  directed  to  return  to  Presidency.     He  declined 
immediately  delivering  charge,   but  knowiug  of  orders  sent   by 
the  Council  to  General  Bruce  regarding  cessation  of  arms,  he 
caused  a  general  order  to  be  published. 

On  3rd  July,  General  Stuart  resigned  to  General  Bruce  the 
command  of  the  Company's  troops,  reserving  to  himself  the 
command  of  the  King's  forces.  General  Stuart  wrote  to  Lord 
Macartney  that  "  it  was  an  unparalleled  injustice  and  intended 
affront." 

On  4th  July,  General  Bruce  ordered  Colonel  Fullarton  to 
return    to    Trichinopoly.      At    this    time    Captain   John    Byres 


198  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1788. 

prisoner  on  parole  being  released)  was  appointed  engineer 
at  Tanjore,  and  shortly  after  joined  Colonel  Fullarton's  force  as 
Chief  Engineer.  By  24th  July  the  parallels,  &c.  at  Cuddalore 
were  destroyed,  and  the  ofiBcers  for  that  duty  discoutiuued.  The 
workmen  employed,  the  pioneers*  (under  Lieutenant  Mitchell) 
excepted,  were  to  carry  down  the  materials  from  the  park  to  the 
river-side  on  the  25th. 

The  army  marched,  Colonel  Gordon  in  command  (General 
Bruce  having  gone  to  the  Presidency,  and  Colonel  Stuart  having 
command  of  a  detachment  from  the  main  army,  which  left  Cud- 
dalore on  25th  July  to  join  Colonel  Fullarton),  the  beginning 
of  August  by  route  of  Bahore,  Red  Hills,  Killinore,  Tindevanum, 
Acherawauk,  and  Madranticum,  which  last  place  it  reached  on 
9th  August,  and  shortly  after  returned  to  Madras,  1 6th  August. 

The  following  arrangements  were  ordered  to  take  place  with 
regard  to  the  engineers  who  were  present  at  the  siege  of 
Cuddalore. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Eoss,  to  Madras ; 
Major  Johnstone,  on  leave; 
Captain  Banks,  to  Madras  ; 

Lieutenant  Wickens) 

i:,     •       ,       •  f  Carnatic  Army : 

Lnsign  Jennings       )  ^  ' 

o       .     I  Madras  : 
„        baunter)  ' 

,,        Hemming,  to  Bombay  for  his  health  ;  and 

Assistant-Engineer  Dyce,  to  rejoin  his  corps. 

On  27th  July,  Colonel  Fullarton  had  marched  for  Dindigul. 
Colonel  Stuart  was  marching  to  join  him,  and  on  8th  August 
another  powerful  reinforcement,  of  500  Europeans,  and  two 
battalions  of  sepoys,  with  artillery,  was  sent  under  Colonel 
Elphinstone. 


*  Force   of  j^ioneers  with  the  main  army,  (J  non-commissioned  oiEccrs  and 
278  men. 


1783.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  199 

While  this  was  taking  place,  there  was  much  dissension  going 
on  in  Madras.  Lord  Macartney  behaved  very  despotically,  and 
General  Stuart  was  seized  by  a  party  of  sepoys  at  his  own  house, 
and  carried  a  prisoner  to  Fort  St.  George.  At  the  same  time, 
Colonel  Lang,  of  the  Company's  service,  was  raised  to  the  rank, 
of  Lieuteuant-General,  that  he  might  command  over  Major- 
Generals  Burgoyne,  Campbell,  and  Ogilvie,  of  His  Majesty's 
service.  General  Burgoyne  was  next  arrested  and  accused  of 
all  the  heinous  crimes  that  could  be  suggested  (he  was  after- 
wards tried,  and  most  honourably  acquitted  of  every  charge), 
while  General  Stuart  was  conducted  by  a  guard  of  sepoys  to  the 
shore  in  a  manner  very  unbecoming  the  rank  of  a  Commander- 
in-Chief,  put  on  board  the  Fortitude  on  14th  October,  and  sent 
a  prisoner  to  England. 

Such  was  the  unhappy  condition  of  the  Presidency  at  Fort 
St.  George,  and  the  ill-regulated  state  of  the  army,  when  Tippoo's 
ambassador  arrived  to  treat  about  peace.  The  main  army 
marched  into  winter  quarters  near  Madras,  as  did  the  southern 
forces  at  Trichinopoly,  The  northern  detachment,  which  had 
been  for  some  time  (under  General  Jones)  surrounded  in  their 
camp,  was  permitted  to  retire  to  Ellore.  And  thus  the  operations 
of  1783  ended. 

Lieutenant- Colonel  Ross  recommended  Lieutenant  Wickens, 
for  his  abilities  and  merit  during  the  war,  to  be  promoted  to 
Captain.  "He  was  constantly  in  the  field  during  the  war,  and 
was  charged  with  the  demolition  of  Sadras,  Wandiwash,  and 
Caraugooly.     He  is  the  oldest  lieutenant  in  the  corps." 

The  Council  were  sensible  of  his  merit,  but  could  not  promote 
him,  as  there  was  no  vacancy. 

Culonel  Fullarion  was  now  proceeding  against  the  Poligars  in 
tiie  south.  He  first  marched  to  Mellore,  left  a  strong  detach- 
ment, and  went  on  4th  August  to  Shevagunga,  twenty  miles  east 
trom  thence.  The  Kajah  paid  40,000  rupees,  and  gave  security 
for  reinaiuiug  debt — 50,000  rupees. 


200  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1783. 

The  engineers  with   Colonel  Fullarton's  force   were  Captain 
Byres  and  Lieutenant  Salmon. 

The  most  powerful  of  the  Poligars  in  confederacy  against  our 
Government,  and  in  alliance  with  the  Dutch,  had  assembled 
12,000  to  14,000  men,  and  were  besieging  the  fort  of  Chocum- 
putty.  The  most  important,  next  to  Shevagherry  was  Catabo- 
manaig,  and  he  was  at  Chocumputty,  from  whence  his  fort  of 
Pandalumcoorchy,  on  the  soutli-east  of  Tinnevelly  district,  was 
distant  more  than  seventy  miles.  Colonel  Fullarton  moved  oflf 
from  Shevagunga  on  (Sth  August  to  Tropichetty,  twenty  miles 
distant,  and  proceeded  to  Pandalamcoorchy,  which  he  reached 
on  the  1 2th — 100  miles  in  four  days. 

He  then  sent  a  flag  to  ask  capitulation,  but  it  was  refused. 
The  18-pounders  were  halted  in  rear  of  embankment  facing 
north-east  angle. 

A  battery  was  hastily  constructed,  and  in  three  hours  we 
were  ready  to  open  on  the  bastion.  The  works  were  manned 
with  several  thousand  people.  We  opened  lire  on  the  bastion, 
but  finding  delay,  owing  to  its  thickness,  resolved  to  breach  the 
adjoining  curtain.  The  enemy  kept  up  a  constant  fire.  It  was 
dark  before  a  practicable  breach  was  effected.  The  attack  was 
deferred  till  the  rise  of  the  moon.  The  storming  party  consisted 
of  two  companies  of  Europeans,  supported  by  13th  and  14th 
Carnatic  Battalions,  and  remained  in  rear  of  the  battery.  The 
cavalry,  the  1st  and  Light  Infantry  Battalions  posted  at  right 
angles  with  the  other  three  salient  angles,  together  with  a  detach- 
ment fronting  each  gateway,  to  prevent  supplies  or  escape.  A 
strong  hedge  fronting  the  breach  was  now  removed ;  this 
dangerous  service  was  eff'ected  with  unusual  skill  by  Ensign 
Cunningham,  commanding  the  Pioneers,  and  about  10  p.m.  the 
attack  commenced.  The  defenders  opposed  us  vigorously  with 
pikes  and  musketry,  so  that  we  were  obliged  to  retire,  and 
reached  the  battery  with  considerable  slaughter  <>u  both  sides. 
Steps  were  taken  to  renew  the  assault ;   but  the  Poligars,  dis- 


17830  MADEAS    ENGINEEES.  201 

heartened  with  their  loss,  ahandoned  the  place,  and  sallied  hy  the 
east  gate.  Some  of  tlie  fugitives  were  taken  prisoners,  hut 
many  escaped.     The  hreach  was  covered  with  dead  bodies. 

The  place  contained  a  large  quantity  of  guns,  powder,  &c., 
also  40,000  star  pagodas,  which  were  immediately  distributed  lo 
the  troops  Five  companies  of  the  25t]i  Battalion  were  left  to 
garrison  the  place. 

Colonel  Fullarton  proceeded  to  Palamcottah,  and  thence  by 
Shankarnacoil  to  Shevagherry.  On  our  arrival,  the  Poligar 
retired  to  his  woods,  four  miles  deep,  in  front  of  bis  "comby,'' 
or  stronghold. 

He  was  joined  by  Catabomanaig,  and  mustered  8,000  or  9,000 
men.  Colonel  Fullarton  had  an  interview  with  the  Shevagherry 
chief,  Catabomanaig,  and  the  deposed  Poligar  of  Chocumputty;  but 
it  was  not  satisfactory,  so  Colonel  Fullarton  made  dispositions  for 
attack.  The  contest  proved  desperate.  The  attack  commenced 
by  Europeans  and  four  battalions  of  sepoys  moving  against  the 
embankment  which  covered  the  wood.  Tiie  Poligars  opposed  us 
in  full  force.  We,  however,  got  possession  of  the  summit.  The 
Poligars  took  post  on  the  verge  of  the  adjoining  wood,  and  dis- 
puted every  step  with  great  loss  on  both  sides  "  Finding  the 
comby  could  not  be  approached  in  front,  we  proceeded  to  cut  a 
road  through  dense  thickets  for  three  miles  to  the  base  of  the 
hill  that  bounds  the  "  comby  "  on  the  west.  The  Pioneers  under 
Ensign  Cunningham  laboured  with  indefatigable  industry. 
Captain  Gardner,  of  102nd,  supported  them;  and  Captain  Blacker, 
with  .'jrd  and  24th  Carnatic  Battalions,  advanced  their  field-pieces 
as  fast  as  the  road  was  cleared.  We  continued  to  cut  our  way 
under  an  unabating  fire  from  H,000  Poligars.  By  sun-set,  we  had 
opened  a  passage  to  the  mountain,  which  is  extremely  high, 
rocky,  and  in  many  places  almost  perpendicular.  We  attacked, 
and  the  troops  attained  the  summit.  The  Poligar  parties  posted 
to  guard  the  eminence  being  routed,  after  much  firing,  we 
descended  the  otliei'  side,  and  flanked  the  "  comby.'"     The  enemy, 


202  MILITAET    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1783. 

seeing  us  masters  of  the  mouutaiu,  retreated  during  the  night  by 
paths  inaccessible  to  regular  troops,  and  we  took  possession  of 
this  wonderful  recess.  Two  battalions  were  left  to  secure 
magazines,  and  the  army  moved  to  JShevelpatore,  within  four 
marches  of  Madura,  a  little  more  than  a  month  after  it  had  left 
Trichinopoly.  Colonel  Fullarton  informed  the  principal  i^oligars 
"that  he  would  leave  on  ;ilst  [September,  but  that  if  they  did 
not  return  to  their  allegiance,  he  would  make  a  vow  to  '  biva,' 
the  Gentoo  god,  whose  attribute  is  vengeance,  to  march  buck 
and  spread  destruction  through  every  possession  of  defaulting 
PoJigars." 

Vakeels  waited  on  Colonel  fullarton  at  Trichungalum,  aud 
stipulated  to  pay  a  sum  in  lieu  of  all  preceding  claims.  They 
also  gave  bonds  for  15,000  pagodas,  in  consideration  of 
restitution  of  their  forts.  Pandalumcoorchy  was  to  be  destroyed, 
guns,  &c.  removed  to  Talamcottah,  and  the  road  cleared  to 
the  comby  of  IShivagherry  to  continue  open  ;  means  of  defence  to 
be  removed,  and  our  troops  always  to  have  access  to  forts  and 
barriers.  Colonel  Jb'uUarton  then  proceeded  to  Dindigul,  via 
Madura.  On  arrival  at  JDindigul,  the  order  of  encampment  was 
in  two  lines.  One  European  and  three  sepoy  brigades,  besides 
four  flank  battalions.  His  artillery  consisted  of  sixty-live  pieces 
of  cannon,  with  held  ammunition,  and  10,000  battering  shot.  The 
Engineer  department  was  stored  with  Desieging  tools  and  other 
implements.  The  Pioneer  Corps  was  strengthened.  Our  cavalry 
was  J, 000;  altogether  14,000  hghting  men. 

The  army  moved  to  re-occupy  Darapooram,  and  in  October 
marched  towards  Pulney,  thirty  miles  south  of  Darapooram. 

On  loth  October,  Colonel  Eullarton  received  news  of  recom- 
mencement of  hostilities  on  part  of  Tippoo  against  Mangalore, 
and  on  the  Ibth  he  determined  to  move  west  to  relieve  that  place. 
To  do  this,  he  thought  it  best  to  take  Palghaut,  and  marched 
from  Pulney,  reduced  the  forts  of  Gumalum,  Chucklygherry, 
and  Annamallay,  passing  through  a  rich  country  abounding  with 


1T83.] 


MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  203 


grain,  cattle,  wood,  and  rice.  At  PuUachy  the  country  attains 
its  greatest  elevation,  and  the  streams  run  east  and  west  to 
Coromandel  and  Malabar. 

From  Annamallay  our  progress  was  most  laborious.  We  had 
to  force  our  way  through  a  forest  twenty  miles  in  depth,  and 
extending  thirty  miles  across  the  pass  of  Palghaut.  Our  object 
was  to  reach  Colingoody,  west  side  of  the  forest,  fifteen  miles 
from  Palghaut.  The  brigades  were  distributed  to  succeed  each 
other  at  intervals  preceded  by  pioneers,  in  order  to  clear  what 
the  advanced  body  had  opened  for  the  guns  and  stores.  Heavy 
rain  fell  for  fourteen  days  without  intermission,  and  the  troops 
were  exposed  without  tents. 

The  advanced  corps  moved  to  the  bank  of  the  Poniany  river, 
within  random  shot  of  the  works  of  Palghaut. 

There  we  took  a  secure  position,  and  prepared  to  attack  the 
place 

By  5th  November,  the  main  body  of  the  troops  arrived ;  we 
crossed  the  river  on  the  Gth,  and  encamped  two  miles  from  the 
fort,  across  the  great  road  that  leads  from  Coimbatore. 

The  Engineers'  stores  arrived,  and  a  post  was  established  for 
them,  where  all  the  preparations  for  a  siege  were  collected. 
Our  next  object  was  to  circumscribe  the  besieged.  With  this 
view,  the  pettah  on  east  and  north  faces  of  fort  was  occupied. 
On  each  of  these  faces  we  carried  on  an  attack.  During  the 
whole  period  of  our  approaches,  and  construction  of  our 
trenches,  parallels,  and  batteries,  the  besieged  kept  up  a  con- 
tinuous fire  on  our  covering  and  working  parties.  The  batter- 
ing train  reached  our  camp  on  the  Oth,  after  an  immensity  of 
toil.  Apprehending  much  delay  from  strength  of  defences  and 
obstinacy  of  defenders,  Colonel  Fullarton  resolved  to  attempt 
the  gateway. 

It  was  so  strongly  flanked  and  fortified  that  it  appeared 
secure  from  any  attacks ;  however,  it  had  no  draw-bridge,  and  on 
this  he  founded   his  hopes  of  accelerating  the  siege.     The  fort 


20  i 


MILITAEY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1783. 


was  quadrangular.  528  x  432  feet,  each  angle  defended  by  a 
capacious  bastion,  mounting  seven  or  nine  guns,  and  contained  a 
garrison  of  4,000  men 

On  the  l'3th,  we  opened  fire  with  twelve  guns  and  four 
howitzers,  from  two  batteries,  at  400  yards  from  east  and  north 
faces.  Before  sunset  the  defences  were  much  damaged,  and  the 
fire  of  the  besieged  considerably  abated. 

At  night,  Captain  Alaitland  took  advantage  of  heavy  rain, 
drove  the  enemy  from  the  covertway,  and  pursued  them  as  far  as 
the  second  gate.  There  he  was  stopped,  but  maintained  his 
ground.  The  enemy  were  so  much  alarmed  that  they  called  out 
for  "  cowle,"  and  this  x)ut  us  in  possession  of  a  fort  capable  of 
making  a  long  and  desperate  resistance. 

Our  loss  was  inconsiderable. 

Colonel  Fullarton  garrisoned  Palghaut,  and  re-instated  the 
Zamorin,*  in  the  territory  of  Palghaut.  He,  in  his  report,  says  : — 
"  Captain  Byres,  the  Chief  Engineer,  is  entitled  to  my  best 
thanks  for  his  labours  and  ability." 

Palghaut  was  garrisoned  by  19th  Battalion,  with  a  few 
Europeans  and  irregulars,  under  Captain  Dewar. 

"  It  was  found  to  command  a  fertile  and  extensive  district, 
the  adjacent  iorests  abounding  with  the  finest  teak  timber  in 
India.  There  is  likewise  a  great  quantity  of  sandal-wood  in  the 
neighbourhood." 

Colonel  Fullarton's  route  from  Dindigul  to  Palghaut  was  : — 

IVIiles. 


1st  Se 

;ptember 

... 

Dindigul 

— 

5  th 

>> 

... 

Darapooram    .. 

— 

10  th 

)» 

... 

Allingum 

— 

17  th 

J) 

... 

Manoor 

8 

J  8th 

J' 

Pulney 

10 

22ud 

)j 

Cumbalum 

10 

23rd 

)j 

• .. 

Chinnamabettal 

1          10 

24th 

>> 

.^^ 

Sonumatore    .. 

12 

*  Xutive 

Prince 

of  Palghaut  country 

1783-84.]  MADEAS   ENGINEERS.  205 

Miles. 
25th  September       ...  PuUachy  ...  10 

26th       ,,                   ...          near  Annamally  10 

27th       ,,                   ...          Annamallay       ...  3 

28th       „                   ...          Pondapollam      ...  5 

29th      „                   ...          Colangoody        ...  3 

Palghaut             ...  i5 

On  26th  November,  the  army  arrived  before  Coimbatore,  and 
proceeded  immediately  to  erect  a  battery  ;  but  before  we  liad 
effected  a  breach  the  Killadar*  surrendered. 

Now  arrived  the  most  interesting  moment  of  the  war.  The 
garrison  of  Mangalore,  under  the  inestimable  commandant, 
Colonel  Campbell,  had  made  a  defence  seldom  equalled  and  never 
surpassed.  Tippoo  had  suffered  in  persevering-  with  the  siege 
during  the  whole  rainy  season.  At  this  time  Colonel  Fullarton 
intended  to  go  against  Sattimangalum  and  Ardenelli,  and 
thence  to  Seringapatam  ;  but  the  Board  had  unwisely  delegated 
powers  of  negotiation  to  commissioners  to  treat  for  peace,  and 
he  was  directed  to  restore  all  posts,  forts,  countries,  v^c, 
recently  reduced,  and  retire  within  limits  possessed  by  us  on 
26th  July.  He  received  these  orders  on  28th  November,  two 
days  before  lie  intended  to  commence  his  march  towards 
Seringapatam. 

He  remained  for  some  time  at  Coimbatore,  but  receiving  fresh 
instructions  to  fall  back,  returned  to  Palghaut,  and  in  December 
the  army  retired  towards  the  southern  country,  having  detached 
Captain  Wheeler  and  three  battalions  to  e^cort  the  stores  from 
Cochin  with  instructions  to  evacuate  Palghaut,  and  join 
Colonel  Fullarton  by  Annamallay  and  Pulney  close  to  the 
mountains. 

Early  in  January  1784,  the  army  arrived  at  Ayryacottah,  and 
Colonel  Stuart,  with  the  main  division,  proceeded  to  Caroor. 
Colonel  Forbes   remained  in  the  districts  of   Darapooram    and 

•  Military  officer  in  charge  of  a  fort. 


206  MILITAEY    HISTOBY    OF    THE 


[1784. 


Dindigul,  while  Colonel  Kelly  advanced  to  Covanore  on  the  bor- 
ders of  Madura.  Colonel  Fullarton  proceeded  with  the  Covanore 
division,  as  most  central,  to  the  south  on  24th  January  1784, 

These  arrangements  had  hardly  been  finished,  when  he 
received  orders  to  recommence  hostilities.  The  Zamorin  had 
occupied  Palghaut  after  it  was  abandoned  by  Captain  Wheeler. 
Captain  Agnew  was  sent  with  a  battalion  ofTravancore  troops  to 
assist  him  ;  but  before  he  arrived,  the  Zamorin  in  despair  had 
abandoned  it.  On  north-east  border  of  Tinnevelly,  Colonel 
Fullarton  received  a  letter  *  from  the  Commissioners  that  fully 
marked  the  enmity  of  Tippoo,  and  convinced  him  that  a  rupture 
was  unavoidable ;  he  therefore  ordered  stores  to  join  Colonel 
Stuart  at  Caroor,  and  marched  the  same  night  to  Madura.  He 
then  went  to  Tanjore  to  concert  measures  with  Mr.  Sullivan 
(Chief  Civil  Officer)  for  safety  of  the  southern  countries,  while  the 
army  should,  for  the  third  time,  advance  into  the  enemy's  country. 
Colonel  Fullarton  rejoined  his  army  at  Caroor. f 
Tippoo,  finding  that  the  southern  army  had  been  ordered  to 
abandon  his  country,  naturally  persisted  in  his  investment  of 
Mangalore,  and  the  garrison  was  at  last  obliged  to  yield  to  the 
necessity  of  famine,  and  surrender  the  place  after  a  most 
glorious  defence.  Colonel  Campbell  marched  off  with  his  few 
remaining  troops  to  Tellicherry,  and  died  soon  after,  worn  out 
with  fatigue.  Notwithstanding  the  flragrant  treachery  by  which 
Mangalore  was  lost,  and  the  deliberate  massacre  of  General 
Mathews,  with  many  other  captured  English  officers,  peace  was 
concluded  at  Mangalore  on  the  11th  March  1784.  During  the 
progress  of  the  negotiations,  Tippoo  treated  the  English  com- 
missioners with  most  marked  indignitv.     Had  Colonel  Fullarton 


*  Dated  11th  February  near  Mangalore. 

•(•  On  4th  February,  Colonel  Fullarton  directed  Captain  Byres  (as  it  was  likely 
the  war  would  be  resumed)  to  raise  200  or  300  pioneers  with  all  expedition, 
independent  of  those  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Cunningham.  He 
succeeded  in  raising  a  body  of  160. 


1784.1  MADKAS    ENGINEERS.  207 

been  allowed  to  advance  on  Seringapatam  with  a  force  flushed 
with  victory,  Tippoo  must  have  left  Mangalore  for  the  defence 
of  his  capital,  and  the  English  would  have  been  in  a  position  to 
enforce  their  own  terms. 

The  southern  army,  during  its  operations,  took  10,000 
prisoners. 

Colonel  Fullarton  was  ordered  to  restore  Caroor  and  Dara- 
pooram,  but  to  keep  Dindigul. 

Tn  April  1784,  he  moved  with  Colonel  Forbes'  division  to 
Dindigul,  while  Colonel  Stuart  fell  back  from  Caroor  on 
Trichinopoly.  While  at  Dindigul,  the  troops  suffered  a  continua- 
tion of  fatigue,  as  they  had  to  march  seventy  miles  to  the  head 
of  Ootampollium  Valley  to  get  grain  for  subsistence.  By  the 
end  of  May  it  became  impracticable  to  subsist  so  large  a  foi'ce 
in  Dindigul,  and  Colonel  Fullarton  withdrew  towards  Madura, 
after  leaving  a  strong  garrison.  Afterwards  three  battalions 
were  detached  under  Captain  Wheeler  to  Tinnevelly,  and  Colonel 
Fullarton  went  there  himself.  From  Tinnevelly  he  returned  by 
Negapatam  and  Tanjore  to  Trichinopoly,  and  thence  went  to 
Fort  St.  George  to  give  an  account  of  affairs,  to  report  the 
meritorious  conduct  of  the  troops,  and  the  eminent  exertions 
of  Messrs.  Sullivan  and  Irwin. 

In  his  report  he  makes  the  following  remarks  regarding 
pioneers  and  engineers: — 

"  It  is  further  extremely  requisite  that  your  establishment  of 
pioneers  should  be  increased,  not  only  for  expertness  and 
despatch  in  the  preparation  of  a  siege,  but  to  facilitate  the  rapid 
movement  of  your  armies.  Hyder  seldom  maintained  less  than 
5,000  pioneers." 

"  The  next  material  object  is  the  Department  of  Engineers, 
including  not  only  preparations  for  besieging,  but  also  the 
defensive  condition  of  your  forts.  You  have  a  respectable  corps 
of  engineers  under  an  officer  distinguished  for  his  talents  of 
arrangements —  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross." 


208  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1784. 

He  again  writes  (in  January  1785) : — 

"  Of  all  the  southern  garrisons  which  are  the  most  important 
in  your  country,  the  inspection  and  descriptive  reports  are  long 
ago  completed  ;  for  as  soon  as  the  army  returned  from  the  enemy's 
country,  I  requested  Captain  Byres,  Chief  Engineer  to  the  South, 
to  undertake  a  survey  of  Tanjore,  Trichinopoly,  Madura,  Palam- 
cottah  and  Ramnad.  This  he  executed  with  the  utmost  ability, 
and  accompanied  it  with  a  statement  expressed  in  accurate  and 
comprehensive  terms," 

Colonel  Fullarton  recommended  the  Governor  to  distribute 
his  force  into  three  great  frontier  cantonments ;  *  main,  or 
central  one,  between  Arcot  and  Vellore ;  southern  one,  near 
Trichinopoly;  and  the  third  at  Ellore. 

On  the  10th  October  1783,  the  state  of  the   Engineer  Corps 

was  as  follows  : — 

1  Lieutenant-Colonel. 

1  Major 

4  Captains, 

4  Lieutenants. 

13  Ensigns. 

Total     23 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Patrick  Ross. 

Major  Maule  (not  counted,  as  he  had  just  gone  home). 

,,      Johnstone. 
Captain  Banks, 
„       Byres. 
Gent. 
,,       Prescott. 
,,       Stuart,  Supy. 
Lieutenant  Salmon. 
,,  Wickens. 

,,  Kisselback. 

,,  Trapaud. 

*  To  defend  the  Circars,  or  act  against  Tippoo's  possessions  of  Cuddapah  or 
Kumool. 


's 


r") 


1783.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  209 

Ensign  Ogg. 
„      Ryland. 

Bong. 
,,       Guthrie. 
,,       Hemming. 
„       Jennings. 
,,       Norris. 
,,       Russell. 
„       Prescott. 
,,       Lennon. 
,,       Sauter. 
„       Mackenzie. 

Lieutenant  Wickens  seems  to  have  been  a  very  able  officer, 
and  was  frequently  despatched  on  important  work  in  connection 
with  the  campaign  Thus  on  13th  March  1783,  he  was  sent 
with  a  detachment  across  the  Palar  to  inspect  Arcot,  and  take  a 
sketch,  &c. ;  a  few  days  after,  he  was  ordered  to  Conjeveram,  and 
sent  in  a  report  regarding  the  fortifications  required  for  the 
Great  Pagoda  at  that  place. 

The  same  month,  he  reports  on  the  hill  forts  at  Vellore, 
and  sends  in  a  rough  plan  of  Arcot,  with  observations,  on 
4  th  June. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross  complained  of  being  superseded  by 
Colonel  Nixon,  and  asked  for  brevet  rank.  General  Stuart 
supported  his  application,  and  said  that  "  there  is  not  an  officer 
on  the  establishment  who  deserves  any  mark  of  attention  in  that 
way  more  preferable." 

The  President,  however,  refused  the  application,  which  is 
liardly  to  be  wondered  at,  considering  the  bad  feeling  existing 
between  the  President  and  General  Stuart  at  the  time. 

In  September,  Major  Maule  applied  for  leave  to  Europe,  as 
"he  was  suffering  from  liver  and  hypochondriacal  affections,  after 
a  service  of  sixteen  years."  He  had  to  resign  the  service,  but 
was  recommended  to  the  Court  to  return  with  his  rank. 

14 


210  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1784-90. 

Johnstone  was  promoted  to  Major  and  Stuart  to  Captain. 
Trapaud  was  still  absent  at  Fort  Marlborough,  Bencoolen,  and 
Simon  Stuart  had  not  yet  returned  from  parole. 

In  January  1784,  Major  Johnstone  went  to  Europe  on  account 
of  his  health,  and  Banks  was  appointed  Major  in  his  place, 
while  Wickens  was  promoted  to  Captain. 

Trapaud,  having  returned  from  Fort  Marlborough  after  a 
service  there  of  three  or  four  years,  was  appointed  Captain- 
Lieutenant  on  account  of  his  good  service. 

In  August,  Major  Geils  returned  from  England,  and  he  was 
given  out  in  orders  as  Major  of  Engineers. 

Major  Banks  and  Captain  Simon  Stuart  complained  of  Major 
Geils  taking  rank  in  the  Corps  of  Engineers,  and  a  copy  of  their 
letter  was  sent  to  the  Court  of  Directors. 

From  the  conclusion  of  peace  with  Tippoo  in  March  1784, 
till  the  year  1790,  no  serious  military  operations  were  undertaken 
by  the  English,  and  during  these  six  years  I  can  find  no  record 
of  an  engineer  officer  having  been  employed  on  active  military 
service  in  the  field. 

In  September  1788  a  small  detachment  of  pioneers,  under  an 
European  officer,  was  attached  to  the  force  under  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  James  Eidington,  which  took  possession  of  the  district 
of  Guntoor. 

Again  in  March  1789,  a  detachment  of  eighty  pioneers  was 
sent  from  Trichinopoly  to  join  the  field  force  assembled  under 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Stuart,  72nd  Kegiment,  for  service  in  the 
Shevagunga  country.  It  was  present  at  the  capture  of  Collai- 
goody  on  14th  May,  and  of  Ranamungalum  and  Colacoil  on 
1st  and  2nd  June  respectively. 

The  Government  returned  their  thanks  to  Colonel  Stuart  for 
his  gallant  and  good  conduct,  and  desired  that  he  would  com- 
municate to  the  officers  and  men  their  perfect  approbation  of  the 
spirited  and  regular  behaviour  of  the  whole  of  the  detachment 
during  the  service.     From  the  year   1784  to   1789,  in  spite  of 


1781-90.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  211 

their  immunity  from  service  in  the  field,  r^e  Corps  of  Engineers 
lost  ten  officers,  seven  of  them  hy  death.  In  1784  Lieutenant 
Salmon's  name  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  list  of  engineers,  and  he 
probably  died  while  on  service.  Captain  Simon  Stuart  appears 
to  have  died  in  1787. 

Captain  John  Byres  died  on  23rd  September  1788. 

Ensign  Saunter  died  on  7th  October  1788. 

Captain  Wickens  died  at  Madras  on  3rd  July  1789. 

Lieutenant  Guthrie  was  pensioned  in  1788. 

Ensign  Prendergast  resigned  13th  January  1789. 

Ensign  Thomas  Benjamin  Dorman  died  27th  October  1787, 
after  a  short  service  of  only  five  months. 

Lieutenant  James  Kobert  Prescott  died  on  5th  September  1788, 

In  1787,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Geils,  who  had  for  many  years 
been  considered  an  engineer,  and  who  had  been  gazetted  as  a 
major  of  engineers,  was  re- transferred  to  the  Artillery  This 
transfer  led  to  a  memorial  from  four  of  the  field  officers  of  the 
Artillery  They  were  told  that  his  transfer  to  the  Engineers  had 
never  been  intended  to  sever  him  altogether  from  his  own  corps, 
the  Artillery.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Geils,  on  his  part,  memorial- 
ized regarding  his  supersession  in  his  own  corps,  and  wrote 
most  voluminous  papers  on  the  subject,  which  are  referred  to  in 
Captain  Begbie's  Memoirs  of  the  Madras  Artillery. 

Later  on  Colonel  Geils  was  treated  with  great  harshness 
regarding  a  mutiny  of  the  Artillery  at  the  Mount,  which  led  to 
his  removal      This  will  be  noticed  further  on. 

The  engineers  in  1790  consisted  of — 


Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross. 

Captain 

Kisselback. 

Major  Maule. 

>> 

Ogg. 

,,     Johnstone. 

Lieutenant  Ryland. 

,,     Banks. 

>» 

Bong. 

Captain  Gent. 

>» 

Hemming 

„        Prescott. 

>> 

Russell. 

,,       Trapaud. 

it 

Jennings. 

14  * 

212 


MILITAEY   HISTORY   OF    THE 


[1790. 


Lieutenant  Norris. 
„         Lennon. 
„         Mackenzie. 
Ensign  Forrest. 
,,      Cree. 
„      Barclay. 


Ensign  Johnstone. 
„      Wood. 
„      Cudmore. 
,,      Caldwell. 
Blair. 


Altogether  twenty-five  officers.* 


*  In  June  1784,  a  Lieutenant  Harry  Gordon  of  Engineers  is  mentioned  as 
having  repaired  the  Fort  of  Chittoor.  As  a  bill  for  the  money  expended  by 
him  was  ordered  to  be  sent  to  Bengal,  I  presume  he  was  a  Bengal  Engineer,  as 
he  is  not  named  in  the  Madras  lists. 


1790.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  213 


CHAPTER   IX. 

Tippoo  attacks  Travancore. — Proposed  Corps  of  Guides. — Colonel  Stuart  sent  to 
Dindigul. — Assault  fails,  but  place  surrendered. — Kelly's  plan  for  capture 
of  Bangalore. — Siege  of  Palghaut. — Surrender  of  Darapoorum. — Lord  Corn- 
wallis  lands  at  Madras. — British  before  Bangalore. — Bangalore  Fort  cap- 
tured.— Battle  of  Arrikera. — Cornwallis  moves  on  Caniambaddy. — Bombay 
Army  retires  to  the  Coast. — Cornwallis  sets  out  for  Bangalore. — Army 
returns  to  Bangalore. — Siege  of  Ryacottah. — Gowdie  advances  to  Nundy. — 
Siege  of  Nundidroog. — Colonel  Ross  reconnoitres  Savandroog. — Savandroog 
captured. — Surrender  of  Ramgherry  and  Shivagherry. — Tippoo's  Lines. — 
Assault  of  Tippoo's  Lines. — Seringapatam  Island. — Attack  made  by  Tippoo's 
Cavalry. — Bombay  Army  crosses  the  Cauvery. — General  Orders  regarding 
operations  of  Engineers. — Action  on  night  of  21st. — Two  of  Tippoo's  sons 
enter  camp  as  hostages. — Tippoo  signs  articles  of  peace. — Colonel  Maxwell 
sent  against  the  Poligar  of  Shevagherry. 

At  the  close  of  December  1789,  Tippoo  attacked  Travancore, 
and  preparations  were  made  by  the  English  for  a  campaign.* 
General  Medows,  who  had  arrived  at  Madras  on  2()th  February, 
as  Commander-in-Chief,  took  command. 

By  14th  March,  a  small  force  was  collected  at  Conjeveram, 
and  a  large  one  at  Trichinopoly. 

On  31st  January  the  Chief  Engineer  sent  in  a  plan  for  the 
establishment  of  a  corps  of  guides.  He  recommended  that  the 
corps  should  consist  of  100  men.  Fifty  of  these  to  be  stationed 
in  the  Carnatic,  twenty-five  north  of  the  Kistna,  and  twenty- 
five  south  of  the   Coleroon.     This  corps  was  to  obtain  informa- 

*  Travancore  wa.s  under  our  protection. 


214  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1790. 

tion  regarding  the  country — especially  with  reference  to  roads 
and  passes,  and  all  their  plans  and  reports  were  to  be  lodged 
in  the  Chief  Engineer's  office.  This  proposal  was  not 
approved]  of  in  its  entirety,  hut  a  corps  was  formed  of  fifty,  as 
follows : — 

1  head  guide    ...     pay  6  pagodas    ...    batta  6  fanams. 
1  second  guide         „     4       ,,  ...       ,,3       ,, 

48  guides  ...     „     2       „  ...       „       1  f.  30  c. 

with  three  officers — 

Captain  John  Pringle, 
Lieutenant  Beatson, 
Lieutenant  Allen. 

On  19th  March  the  following  engineer  officers  were  ordered 
to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  join  the  army  in  the 
field  :— 

Major  Maule  ;  Captains  Trapaud  and  Kisselback  ;  Lieutenants 
Ryland,  Bong,  Mackenzie ;  Ensigns  Cree,  Barclay,  and  John- 
stone.* 

The  Chief  Engineer  (Lieutenant- Colonel  Ross)  forwarded  a 
statement  of  artificers  and  lascars  required  for  engineers  in 
camp. 

1   syrang.  1   maistry. 

I    tindal.  I   under  maistry. 

50  lascars.  50  coolies. 

52  total.  52  total. 

2  maistry  smiths.  1  brazier  maistry. 

6  smiths.  1   bricklayer  maistry 

2  maistry  carpenters.  6  hammer  men. 

12  carpenters.  6  bellows  boys. 

The  Committee  were  inclined  to  refuse  the  artificers,  and  both 

*  On  9th  April  1790  Ensign  Edward  Cudmore  was  removed  from  the  Infantry 
to  the  Engineers. 


1790.]  MADE  AS   ENGINEERS.  215 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross  (the  Chief  Engineer)  and  Major  Maule* 
(who  was  to  command  the  engineers  in  the  field)  strongly 
remonstrated,  saying  that  the  sieges  of  Tanjore  and  Pondicherry 
had  been  protracted  to  a  considerable  length  on  account  of  the 
establisliment  being  insufficient. 

In  spite  of  these  remonstrances,  the  Government  confirmed  the 
opinion  of  the  Committee. 

On  17th  May,  General  Medows  embarked  for  the  south  to  take 
command  of  the  army. 

On  the  24th  he  assumed  the  command  of  nearly  15,000  men 
at  Trichinopoly,  and  on  the  26th  made  his  first  march. 

The  plan  of  campaign  was  as  follows  : — 

The  southern  army,  under  General  Medcws,  to  reduce  the 
Coimbatore  district,  and  ascend  the  Gugglehutty  pass  The 
Bombay  army  to  act  on  the  west,  and  Colonel  Kelly,  with  a 
small  force,  to  watch  the  passes  into  the  Baramahl. 

General  Medows  reached  Coimbatore  on  22nd  July,  without 
any  opposition  to  speak  of,  and  detached  a  force  against  Palghaut 
the  next  day. 

The  army  was  divided  into  six  brigades — two  European  and 
four  native. 

The  ist  European  Brigade  consisted  of: — H.  M.'s  3Gth  and 
52nd,  two  la-pounders  and  eight  6-pounders,  commanded  by 
Major  S.  Kelly. 

Tho  2nd  European  Brigade, — H.  M.'s  7 1st  and  72nd,  and 
1st  Company's  Europeans,  two  12-pounders  and  eight  G-pounders, 
commanded  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Clarke. 

l.sf  Native  Brigade. —  1st,  Gth,  and  10th  battalion  Sepoys,  with 
one  I8-pounder  and  six  G-pounders,  commanded  by  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Oldham. 

2nd  Native  Brigade. — 2nd,   7th,  and  20th  battalion  Sepoys, 


•  At  siege  of  Pondicherry  in  1778,  Maule  commanded  the  north  attack      He 
was  also  at  the  two  sieges  of  Tanjore  and  at  capture  of  Ramnadpuram. 


216  MILITAEY   HISTOEY   OF    THE  [1790. 

with    one     18-pounder   and    six     6-pounders,    commanded    by 
Lieutenant- Colonel  Trent. 

Srd  Native  Brigade.— Srd,  4th,  and  33rd  battalion  Sepoys, 
with  one  18-pounder  and  six  6-pounders,  commanded  by  Major 
Cuppage. 

Ath  Native  Brigade. — 5th,  14th,  and  25th  battalion  Sepoys, 
with  one  18-pounder  and  six  6-pounders,  commanded  by  Major 
Dupont. 

In  each  wing  there  were  one  European  and  two  Native 
brigades. 

Colonel  Musgrave,  commanding  the  line. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Malcombe,  Adjutant- General. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Camwell,  Quartermaster-General. 
Colonel  Nixon,  commanding  right  wing. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Stuart,  commanding  left  wing 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Floyd,  commanding  Cavalry. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Geils,  commanding  Artillery. 
Major  Maule,  Chief  Engineer. 
Captain  Beatson,  Captain  of  the  Guides. 

On  7th  June,  the  Pioneers  were  increased  to  five  companies, 
one  lieutenant  commanding,  and  one  ensign. 

Each  company — 

1  sergeant. 

4  havildars. 

4  naiques. 

90  privates. 
To  carry — 

60  hand- hatchets. 

40  bill-hooks. 

48  pick-axes. 

6  picks. 

10  felling-axes. 

28  mamoties. 

On  15th  June,  possession  had  been  taken  of  Caroor;  here  the 
array  halted  till  2nd  July. 


1790.]  MADBAS    ENGINEERS.  217 

On  the  6 til,  Aravacoorchy  surrendered,  and  Darapooram  and 
Coimbatore  were  occupied  respectively  on  10th  and  21st  July. 
Colonel  Stuart  was  sent  to  summon  Palghaut.  It  refused  to 
surrender,  and  on  account  of  the  monsoon  he  was  obliged  to 
return  to  Coimbatore.  Stuart  was  then  sent  to  Dindigul. 
Moorhouse  commanding  the  Artillery,  and  Trapaud  being  the 
engineer  with  the  force. 

This  force  reached  Dindigul  on  the  16th  August.  Two  heavy 
batteries  and  one  of  field-pieces  for  enfilade  opened  on  the  20th. 
The  enemy's  fire  was  soon  silenced,  but  the  breach  was  not 
practicable ;  still,  as  Colonel  Stuart  had  no  shot  left,  he  deter- 
mined to  risk  the  assault.  The  ascent  to  the  breach  was  found 
quite  impracticable.  The  assault  was  continued  for  some  time,  but 
it  failed.  The  enemy,  however,  being  alarmed,  surrendered  shortly 
after.  Colonel  Floyd,  about  the  same  time,  took  Sattimungalum. 
Up  to  this  time,  a  few  forts  had  been  taken,  but  nothing  of 
importance  done,  and  parts  of  the  army  were  posted  at  Coimba- 
tore, Dindigul,  Darapooram,  Erode,  and  Sattimungalum.* 

At  this  date.  Colonel  Kelly  was  commanding  the  centre  army. 
He  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Geils  sent  in  a  plan  for  the  capture 
of  Bangalore.  He  proposed  to  enter  enemy's  country  by  the  pass 
of  Mooglee,  west  of  Chittoor,  but  it  was  pronounced  by  the  Chief 
Engineer  (Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross)  and  Captain  George  Hall, 
commanding  Artillery,  inefficacious — 1st,  because  of  state  of  the 
Carnatic  after  Kelly's  army  marched  ;  and  2nd,  because  the  force 
available  was  insufficient  to  protect  the  battering  train — so  a  less 
extended  scheme  was  called  for. 

*  Lieutenant  Dowse  had  been  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  Pioneers  on 
the  coast  on  11th  February  1790. 

On  14th  August  Ensign  John  Blair  was  removed  from  the  Infantry  to  the 
Engineers. 

On  11th  August  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross,  Chief  Engineer,  Captain  Hall, 
commanding  Artillery,  and  the  Town  Major,  sent  in  a  report  of  the  posts  neces- 
sary to  be  established  near  Fort  St.  George,  Vendalore,  top  of  St.  Thomas' 
Mount,  St.  Thome,  Nimgumbankum,  Pursowankum,  north  of  Black. 


218  MILITARY   HISTORY   Ol*    THE  tl790. 

On  7th  September,  Colonel  Ross  sent  in  a  return  of  engineers, 
lascars,  and  fascine  makers,  necessary  for  the  centre  army. 

1  captain.  2  subalterns. 

2  tindals.  25  lascars. 

1  maistry.  1  under  maistry. 

25  fascine  makers.  18  artificers. 

The  Board  thought  three  subaltern  officers  would  suffice. 
Lieutenant  Lennon,  Madras  Engineers,  to  be  one  of  these,  and 
"  to  command  the  pioneers,  owing  to  his  activity  and  experience 
in  his  profession." 

This  was  in  the  month  of  September.* 

On  the  23rd,  Colonel  Kelly  died  at  Arnee,  and  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Maxwell  succeeded  him  in  the  command. 

On  21st  September,  Colonel  Stuart  was  before  Palghaut,  and 
two  batteries  were  opened  on  that  day  at  400  yards.  The  fire  of 
the  fort  was  silenced  in  two  hours,  and  before  night  a  practicable 
breach  was  effected.  Trapaud  was  the  engineer,  and  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Moorhouse  commanded  artillery. 

A  place  of  arms  in  the  covered  way  was  seized ;  the  work, 
however,  was  not  yet  complete,  as  there  was  a  broad  and  deep 
ditch  to  be  crossed.  Before  daylight  the  enemy  surrendered, 
and  soon  after  sunrise  the  place  was  taken  possession  of. 

The  army  was  now  divided  into  three  divisions.  The  main  army 
at  Coimbatore ;  another  division,  under  Colonel  Floyd,  about 
sixty  miles  in  advance,  at  the  foot  of  the  Guzzlehutty  pass, 
while  Colonel  Stuart  was  near  Palghaut. 

On  the  11th,  Colonel  Floyd  was  on  the  Bhowany,  He  had 
one  regiment  of  Dragoons,  and  two  of  native  cavalry,  3rd  and 
5th,  36th  Regiment,  and  four  battalions  sepoys  and  artillery. 

Tippoo  descended  in  great  force  on  the  12th  September, 
crossed  the  river  at  Poongar,  and  on  the  18th  advanced  on 
Sattimungalum,  to  cut  ofi"  Colonel  Floyd's  division.    The  contest 

*  Ensign  Wood  of  Engineers  joined  centre  army  in  September. 


1790J  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  219 

lasted  two  days,  and,  though  the  enemy  suffered  heavily,  Floyd 
had  to  retire,  leaving  behind  him  some  grain  and  two  damaged 
guns — one  I2-pounder  and  one  18-pounder.  The  Bhowany  was 
crossed  in  basket-boats.  At  1  p.m.,  the  enemy  attacked  again, 
and  harassed  the  force  by  many  attacks,  which  were  all  repulsed 
in  good  style,  but  another  6-pounder,  and  two  tumbrils  were 
taken. 

Medows,  as  soon  as  he  heard  of  the  reverse,  moved  forward, 
and  they  met  at  Veladdy.  Floyd  left  behind  him  200  killed  and 
wounded.  Among  the  killed  were  Lieutenant-Colonel  Deare, 
Bengal  Artillery,  Captain  Hartley  and  Lieutenant  Armstrong, 
36th,  and  Assistant-Surgeon  Norris.  The  Artillery  lost  one 
18-pounder,  a  12-pounder,  and  a  6-pounder;  the  two  first-named 
were  damaged  guns.  Owing  to  this  disaster  Erode  and  Dara- 
pooram  fell  into  'I'ippoo's  hands.  On  the  20th  September  the 
army  again  marched  to  Coimbatore,  and  Colonel  Stuart  rejoined 
from  Palghaut. 

On  the  29th,  General  Medows  left  Coimbatore,  and  marched 
towards  Erode  and  Darapooram  in  search  of  the  enemy. 

On  7th  October,  Medow's  camp  was  at  Caroor,  after 
pursuing  the  enemy  for  eight  days  without  being  able  to  come 
up  with  them. 

On  the  29th,  Medows  was  at  Erode.  On  8th  November, 
having  reason  to  believe  the  enemy  had  gone  towards  Maxwell, 
he  began  to  cross  the  Cauvery,  and  on  the  10th  November 
arrived  in  the  Baramahl. 

At  Darapooram,  Tippoo  captured  136  Europeans  and  173 
natives,  including  six  officers  and  two  surgeons,  Captain  Evans 
commanding.  On  6th  October,  8  a.m.,  enemy  appeared  in  great 
force,  and  Tippoo  was  said  to  be  near  with  his  whole  army.  At 
3  P.M.  infantry  and  guns  were  brought  into  the  pettah,  and  they 
began  to  construct  batteries.  The  next  day  the  batteries  were 
nearly  completed,  one  within  300  yards  on  south  face,  one  200 
ards  from  north  face.     As  the  English  had  no  guns,  defence  was 


•220  MILITAEY   HISTOEl    OF   THE  [1790. 

deemed  impracticable.  Fort  was  delivered  up  on  the  8th  at 
4  P.M.  Garrison  marched  out  with  colours  flying.  Private 
property  was  secured.  The  troops  were  not  to  serve  again 
during  the  war. 

At  this  time,  Colonel  Maxwell  (in  command  of  Centre  Army)  had 
established  his  head-quarters  at  Cauverypatam  (9th  November). 

On  the  J  2th,  the  Mysore  army  came  in  sight  (Medows  had 
now  just  crossed  the  Cauvery).  Maxwell,  in  the  most  spirited 
manner,  offered  him  battle,  although  greatly  inferior  in  point  of 
numbers ;  but  Tippoo  declined  it. 

On  the  15th,  Maxwell  nearly  surprised  him  at  Santamarun- 
hully,  but  Tippoo  got  away  by  the  Palcole  pass. 

On  the  17th,  the  two  Euglish  armies  effected  a  junction, 
marched  on  the  18th  to  Womtenellore,  and  intended  to  have 
gone  up  the  Cauverypooram  pass  ;  but  on  our  march  Medows 
found  that  the  enemy  had  doubled  back,  and  was  upon  his  march 
before  us.  We  came  up  with  Tippoo  in  the  course  of  a  very 
long  march,  and  cannonaded  his  rear  ;  but  he  got  down  the 
Tapoor  pass,  and  continued  before  us  to  Erode. 

On  the  22nd,  the  pursuit  was  continued  in  the  hope  that 
Tippoo  would  not  be  able  to  cross  the  Cauvery  unmolested. 

The  army  pursued  as  far  as  Caroor,  when  it  was  found  he  had 
crossed  the  river  lower  down.  Tippoo's  object  was  evidently  to 
detain  us  below  the  ghauts  till  his  crops  were  cut.  General 
Medows  thought  the  best  mode  to  draw  him  out  of  the  country  was 
to  go  up  the  ghauts  ourselves,  and  he  intended  to  go  by  Cauvery- 
pooram pass,  taking  post  at  head  of  Guzzlehutty  pass,  and 
opening  the  Tambercherry  one,  thus  preserving  our  com.munica- 
tions  with  Coimbatore,  Palghaut,  and  the  West  Coast.  However, 
on  5th  December,  hearing  of  the  approaching  arrival  of  Lord 
Cornwallis,  he  gave  his  plan  up,  and  marched  to  Trichinopoly, 
where  he  propused  to  remain  till  1st  January,  to  put  the  army 
into  Cornwallis'  hand  in  a  good  place  and  state. 

It  should  Le  mentioned,  that  when  General  Medows  marched 


1790-91.] 


MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  221 


towards  the  Baramahl,  Colonel  Hartley,  who  had  been  left  at 
Palghaut,  successfully  attacked  a  detachment  of  Tippoo's  troops 
ten  miles  from  Palghaut,  with  a  loss  of  five  killed,  and  forty 
wounded.  Amongst  the  wounded  were  four  ofBcers,  and  one  of 
these  was  Captain  William  Henry  Blachford,  Bombay  Engineers. 
Hartley  pursued  the  enemy  and  took  possession  of  Furkabad ; 
enemy's  loss  1,000  killed  and  wounded,  and  1,500  men  laid 
down  their  arms  at  Purkabad. 

The  fort  was  then  destroyed,  and  Beypore  taken  possession  of. 
Cornet  Rideout,  Madras  Establishment,  was  found  in  the  fort. 

On  13th  November,  the  Nabob's  troops  in  Chepank  became 
unruly,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Boss  proceeded  with  a  detach- 
ment to  Chepank  House  to  quiet  them.  They  were  clamouring 
for  pay.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross  had  a  great  deal  of  trouble 
in  arranging  the  whole  affair,  and  the  troops  lay  on  their  arras 
the  whole  night.  The  Board  approved  of  the  conduct  of 
Colonel  Ross. 

28th  December. — Major  Banks  sent  in  a  certificate  of  ill- 
health,  and  desired  to  retire  on  Lord  Clive's  bounty,  and  about  a 
month  after  embarked.  To  obtain  Lord  Clive's  pension  he  had 
to  take  the  oath  that  he  was  not  possessed  of  £2,500. 

Ensign  Barclay,  of  Engineers,  died  at  Trichinopoly  on  9th 
July  ;  and  on  6th  November,  Lieutenant  Ryland  was  allowed  to 
go  away  for  the  benefit  of  his  health.  He  died  at  Calcutta,  12th 
June  1791. 

Lord  Cornwallis  landed  at  Madras  on  13th  December.  On 
the  30th  the  army  commenced  its  march  from  Trichinopoly 
towards  the  Presidency,  and  on  27th  January  1791  encamped  at 
Vellout,  eighteen  miles  from  Madras.  Two  days  later,  Lord 
Cornwallis  assumed  command.  On  5th  February,  the  march 
re-commenced  from  Vellout,  and  on  the  1 1th,  the  army  was  con- 
centrated at  Vellore.  A  battalion  moved  up  the  valley  to 
Amboor,  as  if  it  was  intended  to  move  by  that  pass  up  the 
ghauts ;  but  the  main  army  moved  to  the  north,  then,  turning  to 


222  MILITAEY    HISTOEY    OF    THE  [1791. 

the  west,  ascended  through  the  pass  of  Mooglee,  and  occupied 
the  summit  in  four  days.  Tn  four  more,  the  battering  train  and 
provisions  for  forty-five  days  were  on  the  table-land  of  Mysore, 
ninety  miles  from  Bangalore,  without  firing  a  shot.  Meantime 
Tippoo,  having  expected  the  British  by  a  more  southern  pass, 
was  carefully  guarding  the  passes  on  that  side.  Our  army  now 
marched  past  Colar  and  Ooscottah  to  within  ten  miles  of 
Bangalore,  without  molestation.  On  4th  March,  the  enemy's 
cavalry  appeared.  The  English  encampment  had  its  left  on 
some  rising  ground  running  at  right  angles  to  its  general 
direction,  and  at  its  foot  was  a  swampy  hollow,  whicli  extended 
several  miles  in  front  and  rear  of  its  left. 

Next  morning,  Tippoo  made  a  demonstration.  Lord  Corn- 
wallis  drew  up  in  order  of  battle  that  part  which  was  to  form 
the  rear,  on  heights  fronting  the  enemy  ;  while  his  remaining 
columns,  heavy  ordnance,  &c,,  marched  in  its  rear,  and  towards 
Bangalore  ;  the  line  on  the  heights  then  broke  into  columns, 
and  moved  after,  covering  the  rear.  A  distant  cannonade  termi- 
nated the  business,  and  the  British  took  up  their  ground  before 
Bangalore  late  in  the  day.  Next  day.  Lord  Cornwallis  moved  to 
stronger  ground.  Tn  the  morning,  the  Engineers  (Major  Maule 
was  Chief  Engineer)  made  a  reconnaisance  to  the  north-east, 
covered  by  the  cavalry,  and  at  3  p  m.  all  the  cavalry  and  a  brigade 
of  infantry  moved  for  a  similar  purpose  to  the  south-west. 
Tippoo  had  meantime  marched  to  the  west  of  Bangalore,  while 
his  encampment  was  to  the  south-west  of  it.  Tippoo's  cavalry, 
under  Balajee  Row,  was  ordered  to  check  the  British.  Colonel 
Floyd  moved  on  them  with  1 9th  Dragoons,  and  a  native  regiment 
on  its  right,  followed  by  all  the  rest  of  the  cavalry.  The  infantry 
were  left  behind  in  a  hollow.  Our  cavalry  charged,  and  pursued 
the  enemy  to  the  rocks  (marked  A  B  C  on  the  plan),  south-west 
of  the  fort,  a  mile  and  a  half  distant  from  it.  Colonel  Floyd  was 
shot  through  both  jaws,  and  a  retreat  commenced.  Meantime 
Colonel  Floyd  remounted ;  the  cavalry,  however,  were  obliged  to 


1791.]  MADE  AS    ENGINEERS.  223 

retire,  and  the  confusion  was  extreme.  Major  Gowdie,  with 
his  guns  and  infantry,  which  were  posted  about  8,000  yards  east 
of  the  rocky  ground,  then  advanced,  and  enabled  the  cavalry  to 
rally  in  his  rear  while  he  opened  fire,  which  soon  cleared  the 
field.  The  cavalry,  followed  by  the  infantry  and  guns,  returned 
in  good  order  to  camp.  Our  casualties  were  seventy-one  men 
and  271  horses.  Ten  of  the  enemy's  guns  were  brought  in  as 
trophies.  On  this  night,  Tippoo  moved  to  Kingherry,  leaving 
8,000  troops  in  the  fort  under  Behander  Khan,  and  2,000 
infantry,  and  .5,000  armed  peons  in  the  pettah. 

Lord  Cornwallis  determined  to  commence  the  siege  from  the 
north-east,  where  he  was  encamped.* 

The  fort  was  oval,  with  round  towers  at  intervals,  five 
cavaliers,  a  faussebraye,  a  ditch  and  covered  way ;  but  the  glacis 
was  imperfect. 

The  fort  had  two  gateways,  called  respectively  Mysore  and 
Delhi ;  the  latter  north-east  of  fort  opposite  the  pettah,  overbuilt 
with  traverses,  and  the  former  south-south-west,  the  road  thence 
leading  to  Kingherry. 

The  pettah  to  the  north  of  fort  was  surrounded  with  a  rampart 
and  ditch,  with  an  intermediate  space  planted  with  thorns 
(prickly  pear,  &c.),  100  yards  wide.  The  pettah  had  several 
gates  covered  with  fleches;  there  were  no  drawbridges.  It  was 
resolved  to  take  the  pettah 

The  engineers  present  at  the  siege  of  Bangalore  were  : — 
Major  Maule,  Chief  Engineer. 
Captain  Ogg. 

Lieutenant  Russell,  joined  shortly  after. 
„  Norris. 

,,  Lennon. 

„  Mackenzie,  Adjutant  of  Engineers. 

Ensign  Cree. 

*  A  Corps  of  European  Pioneers  was  formed,  to  consist  of  one  sergeant,  one 
corporal,  and  ten  privates  from  each  corps,  and  to  be  under  the  command  of 
Ensign  Macpherson,  H.M.'b  52nd. 


224  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THa 


[1791 


Ensign  Johnstone. 

„       Wood. 

„       Caldwell. 

„  Pyefinch. 
On  the  7th  the  pettah  was  taken  hy  assault 
At  4  A.M.,  a  detachment,  consisting  of  H.AI.'s  36th,  and  24th 
Bengal  Native  Infantry  fwith  four  iron  18-pounders,  and  two 
iron  12-pounders),  assembled — the  infantry  under  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Cockerell,  the  artillery  under  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Moorhouse.  When  they  got  within  400  yards  of  the  place,  they 
had  to  halt  for  the  Chief  Engineer  (Major  Maule)  *  for  about 
half  an  hour  ;  as  soon  as  he  joined,  they  proceeded  under  cover 
of  some  rising  ground  to  within  100  yards,  when  the  heavy  guns 
were  fired  at  the  works,  the  enemy  returning  the  fire  witli  musketry 
and  rockets.  Thirty  yards  from  the  gate,  the  flank  companies 
of  the  36th  were  ordered  to  storm  a  work  which  covered  it. 
This  they  carried  with  loss  of  only  one  man. 

They  were  about  to  follow  the  enemy  into  the  pettah,  when  they 
were  stopped  by  a  second  gateway,  at  the  end  of  a  narrow  road 
enclosed  on  each  side  by  a  high  wall,  and  an  impenetrable  closely 
set  hedge  of  prickly  pear.  They  endeavoured  to  blow  open  the 
gate  with  the  field-pieces;  but  failing,  an  iron  I8-pounder  was 
ordered  in,  which  succeeded  in  doing  it  in  three  or  four  rounds, 
and  the  Grenadiers  entered.  About  half  an  hour  elapsed  from  first 
arrival  at  the  gate  to  its  being  blown  open ;  all  this  time  the 
enemy  kept  up  an  incessant  fire  of  rockets  and  matchlocks. 
The  troops  on  entering  carried  everything  before  them,  and 
drove  the  enemy  into  the  fort.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Moorhouse 
was  killed.  He  received  two  wounds,  but  did  not  discontinue 
his  exertions  till  two  other  musket-balls  in  his  breast  killed  him. 
We  lost  also.  Captain  Delany  of  36th  Regiment;  and  Lieutenant 
Conan,  brigade  major  of  artillery,  lost  a  leg,  and  died  shortly 
after.     Several  officers  were  wounded. 

*  Lieutenant  Mackenzie  of  Madras  Engineers  accompanied  him. 


BAN  GAL,  ORE, 

R'^Hon^'^Earl  Cornwallis.  K  G  to  to  J 


s\ 


;;  ID  E  £reaiiii^^-B«,^ne'S  '■>\ 


1791.]  MADEAS   ENGINEERS.  225 

At  this  time,  the  English  camp  occupied  the  high  ground 
extending  from  the  present  railway  station  to  the  head  of  the 
Oopurhully  valley,  thence  across  the  ground  now  occupied  by 
the  rifle-butts.  To  the  south-west  and  south  the  camp  fronted  the 
pettah  2,000  yards  distant,  and  extended  from  the  head  of  the 
valley  running  to  the  west,  as  far  as  the  head  of  the  valley  called 
Shoolay.  The  Sultan  hearing  of  the  capture  of  the  pettah 
advanced  from  Kingherry  to  retake  it.  At  the  same  time  that 
he  sent  Cummer-u  din  into  the  pettah  with  large  reinforcements, 
he  made  a  show  of  attacking  our  camp,  and  cannonaded  our 
line  (which  was  drawn  up  on  the  ground  occupied  by  the  rifle- 
butts)  from  a  distance  of  2,000  yards,  his  troops  being  drawn 
up  in  the  rear,  and  to  the  south  west  of  Muntapum  hill.  Lord 
Cornwallis  saw  through  Tippoo's  design,  and  reinforced  the 
pettah.  The  efforts  made  for  the  recovery  of  the  pettah  were 
spirited,  but,  after  a  prolonged  contest,  the  Mysoreans  were 
drivcMi  from  every  quarter  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  with 
a  loss  2,000  killed  and  wounded.  The  English  casualties  were 
131.     Two  stands  of  colours  were  captured  from  the  enemy. 

On  the  7th  and  8th,  the  first  parallel  was  formed  by  cutting 
down  a  part  of  the  pettah  wall,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  9th, 
the  first  battery  was  commenced  for  ten  18-pounders,  near  the 
east  end  of  the  pettah,  and  about  1,050  yards  from  the  fort  wall. 
This  battery  opened  fire  on  the  12th.  Wilks  speaks  of  the 
"  lamentable  error  of  the  engineers  in  erecting  the  first  battery 
without  previously  ascertaining  its  exact  distance."  To  ascertain 
this  was,  I  should  imagine,  quite  impracticable,  and  I  fail  to 
see  that  the  distance  was  too  great,  as  the  battery  was  constructed 
to  take  off'  the  fire  of  the  fort  and  generally  damage  the  defences. 

The  same  day  (12th)  two  enfilading  batteries  were  opened, 
with  two  12-pounder8  each,  about  150  yards  apart,  and  900  and 
9o0  yards  distant  from  the  fort. 

On  the  I4th,  another  battery  of  two  24-pounders  was  opened, 
about  600  yards  from  the   fort,  almost  due  north  of  the  Delhi 

15 


226  MILITAEY   HISTOKY    OF    THE  [1791. 

Gate.  One  of  the  guns  was  disabled  by  the  superior  fire  of  the 
enemy,  and  the  other  had  to  be  withdrawn.  This  I  think  shows 
that  it  would  not  have  been  practicable  to  place  the  first  battery 
much  closer  than  the  site  selected. 

It  should  also  be  noted,  that  the  eastern  portion  of  the  pettah 
is  on  commanding  ground,  that  is,  from  the  pettah  gate  whicli 
was  attacked  up  to  the  east  extremity  of  the  pettah,  and  it  was 
on  this  high  ground  that  the  first  battery  was  erected.  Besides 
this,  the  choice  of  sites  for  batteries  was  limited  A  battery 
requires  a  considerable  space  of  open  ground,  and  it  would  have 
taken  a  long  time  to  clear  the  ground,  at  a  point,  say  a 
couple  of  hundred  yards  closer,  as  the  pettah  was  crowded 
with  houses. 

By  reference  to  the  plan  it  will  be  at  once  seen  that  all  the 
sites  selected  for  the  batteries  were  points  at  which  there  happened 
to  be  vacant  spaces  of  ground. 

At  2  P.M.  on  the  16th,  a  breaching  battery,  with  one 
24-pounder  and  seven  IS-pounders  (removed  from  first  battery), 
opened  fire  at  a  distance  of  600  yards,  on  the  same  spot  at  which 
it  had  been  attempted  to  open  a  battery  on  the  14th.  At  first 
this  eight-gun  battery  could  not  work  witli  eflPect,  but  early 
next  morning  (17th)  its  fire  proved  most  useful. 

This  day,  Tippoo  attempted  to  relieve  the  place  by  making 
an  attack  on  our  camp  from  the  north  and  north-east.  The 
main  body  of  his  cavalry  were  posted  on  the  reverse  side  of 
the  Muntapum  hill ;  while  other  bodies  of  them  were  drawn 
up  to  the  north  of  our  camp,  as  well  as  to  the  north-east 
of  the  Ulsoor  tank ;  while  his  line  extended  on  the  high 
ground  from  ShevenhuUy  to  Sultanpore.  On  the  rocky  hillock 
(known  now  as  No.  4  signal  station)  near  ShevenhuUy,  he 
had  six  guns,  and  a  number  of  others  were  posted  along  the 
heights  at  intervals.  Tippoo,  however,  had  no  wish  to  com- 
mence a  general  engagement,  and  after  cannonading  our  line 
for   some  time,  drew  ofi'  again.     Some  of  his  cavalry  got  into 


1791]  MADEAS    ENGINEEBS.  227 


camp,  and  did  some  little  damage — forty  or  fifty  on  our  side 
being  killed  and  wounded. 

On  the  17th,  Captain  Slipper,  of  Madras  Artillery,  was  killed 
in  the  eight-gun  battery,  with  several  other  Europeans  and 
natives. 

On  the  18th,  the  breach  was  considered  practicable  by 
some  ;  but  Lord  Cornwallis  ordered  another  parallel  to  be  laid 
out,  and  a  battery  constructed  to  its  left  for  four  guns, 
within  3C0  yards  of  the  fort,  to  bear  upon  the  round  bastions, 
right  and  left  of  the  gateway.  This  opened  fire  on  the  morning 
of  the  I'Jth,  and  during  the  day  two  more  guns  were  advanced 
to  the  battery.  Two  mortar  batteries  had  also  been  constructed, 
one  close  to  the  six-gun  battery,  and  the  other  150  yards  to  the 
left  of  it,  outside  the  pettah  hedge,  and  covered  by  paddy-fields, 
which  extended  from  the  hedge  up  to  the  bank  of  the  tank  east 
of  the  fort. 

A  constant  cannonade  was  kept  up  on  the  breach  and  neigh- 
bouring towers.  The  artillery  fire  of  the  enemy  was  now  mud- 
reduced,  but  our  fire  was  replied  to  sharply  by  matchlocks  froui 
covert-way  and  outworks.  The  six-gun  battery  appears  to  have 
concentrated  its  fire  on  the  towers  clese  to  the  gateway ;  while 
the  eight-gun  battery  fired  on  the  breach  in  the  curtain  near 
tlie  large  round  tower  (wliere  the  present  gate  stands). 

On  the  20th,  the  fire  widened  the  breach,  and  at  dusk  a 
working  party  opened  a  sap  from  the  advanced  battery  to  the  crest 
of  the  glacis.     The  enemy  attempted  to  stockade  the  breach. 

On  the  20th,  Tippuo,  seeing  that  the  breach  would  shortly 
be  assaulted,  came  down  on  the  early  morning  of  the  21st  with  a 
large  force  to  protect  an  advanced  body  with  heavy  guns,  who 
had  on  previous  day  been  opening  embrasures  in  the  bank  of  the 
tank  to  the  east  of  the  fort,  from  which  they  might  destroy  the 
trenches  and  open  sap,  now  advanced  near  the  crest  of  the  glacis, 
and  no  longer  covered  by  the  works  and  buildings  of  the  pettah. 
Tippoo's  force   wis  drawn    up  from  east  end  ol   ihib  tank  bunk, 

15  • 


228  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1791. 

his  left  flank  resting  on  the  tank.  His  line  extended  south  of 
the  valley  which  runs  away  from  the  fort  in  a  south-east 
direction,  his  right  resting  on  Coramungalum  tank.  These 
movements  were  made  under  cover  of  a  heavy  fog.  It  cleared 
about  8  A  M.,  and  our  right  wing,  which  had  been  posted  near 
the  Shoolay  tank,  advanced  along  the  elevated  ground  now 
called  the  brigade-ground,  or  Arab  lines,  This  advance  com- 
pelled Tippoo  to  abandon  his  attempt  at  the  time  In  the 
evening,  however,  the  attempt  was  renewed,  and  Lord 
Cornwallis  determined  to  deliver  the  assault  without  any  further 
delay. 

The  siege  works  were  commenced  on  the  8th,  and  completed 
on  the  20th.  In  the  space  of  twelve  days,  in  addition  to  the 
parallels,  and  sap  to  the  crest  of  the  glacis,  the  following  batteries 
had  been  constructed  by  the  engineers : — 

1  battery  of  ten  18-pounders. 

2  batteries  of  two  12-pounders  each. 
1  battery  of  two  24 -pounders. 

1  breaching     battery,    with    one    24-pounder    and    seven 
l8-pounders. 

1  breaching  battery  with  six  guns,  and 

2  mortar  batteries. 

Total  8  batteries. 

It  seems  that  for  this  the  engineers  deserved  great  credit. 

Tippoo  was  aware  of  the  intended  assault,  as  he  warned  the 
garrison,  and  appointed  two  corps  to  fall  on  the  flanks  of  the 
assailants. 

His  camp  was  at  Gignee,  six  miles  to  south-west,  and  at 
nightfall  he  moved  to  within  one  and  a  half  miles  of  the  Mysore 
gate.  After  sun-set  the  fire  of  the  guns  from  the  breaching 
batteries  was  kept  up  on  the  breaches,  and  even  while  the  assault 
was  taking  place,  the  fire  was  continued  with  blank  cartridges. 

The  communication   over  the  ditch  was  by  a  narrow  cause- 


1791.]  MADKAS    ENGINEEES.  229 

way,  but  this  had  been  cut  across,  leaving  only  a  pathway  two 
feet  broad.  At  11  p.m.  (moon  shining  bright),  the  storming 
party  moved  out  in  profound  silence,  and  the  ladders  to  ascend 
the  fausse  braye  and  the  projecting  work  on  the  right  were  nearly 
planted  before  the  enemy  took  the  alarm.  Just  as  the  struggle 
commenced  on  the  breach  a  few  men  had  got  to  the  rampart  by  a 
circuitous  way,  along  a  thin  shattered  wall,  and  they  were  now 
on  the  left  of  the  party  of  the  enemy  who  were  engaged  in 
defeuding  the  breach.  They  quietly  halted  to  increase  their 
numbers,  and  then  charged  with  the  bayonet. 

The  killadar  was  killed  defending  his  post  in  the  most  gallant 
manner,  and,  until  he  fell,  the  resistance  was  obstinately  pro- 
tracted, but  the  two  assaults  in  front  and  flank  were  too  much 
for  the  defenders  ;  and  when  the  assailants  were  established  on 
tlie  ramparts,  they  proceeded  by  alternate  companies  right  and 
left,  until  they  met  over  the  Mysore  Gate.  Separate  columns 
descended  into  the  body  of  the  place,  and  in  an  hour  all 
opposition  had  ceased. 

While  the  assault  was  being  made,  a  large  body  was  observed 
advancing  from  the  tank  embankment  on  our  left,  to  attack 
assaulting  party  in  flank  and  rear,  but  they  were  repulsed 
with  great  slaughter  by  troops  placed  specially  for  that 
purpose.  In  the  same  way,  another  column  lodged  in  covered- 
way  on  the  right  was  dispersed  by  a  body  appointed  with  that 
object.  Just  after  the  fort  was  secured,  a  third  column  was 
remarked,  about  to  enter  and  re  inforce  the  garrison.  The  guns 
on  the  ramparts  were  turned  on  them,  when,  of  course,  they 
retired  The  slaughter  of  the  enemy  was  severe,  but  the 
English  loss  was  comparatively  small. 

In  the  assault  alone,  the  enemy  lost  1,000  killed,  the  number 
of  wounded  was  not  ascertained-  Although  the  English  loss, 
killed  and  wounded,  was  less  than  450,  the  work  of  the 
previous  fortnight  had  been  so  heavy,  that  the  hospitals  were 
crowded. 


230  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1791. 

There  were  two  detachments  of  pioneers  with  the  army — one 
commanded  hy  Lieutenant  Lennon,  of  the  Madras  Engineers, 
and  the  other  by  Lieutenant  Dowse,  of  the  infantry.  Captain 
Beatson  commanded  the  guides.  Two  days  after  the  capture 
of  Bangalore,  Lord  Cornwallis  ordered  Lieutenant-Colonel  Boss 
to  proceed  to  Amhoor,  and  join  the  army  with  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Oldham's  detachment  as  soon  as  possible,  as  Major 
Maule  was  ill  and  could  not  continue  on  service.  He  said  that 
he  required  another  captain  of  engineers,  as  Captain  Ogg  was 
also  ill.  Lieutenant  Bussell  was  accordingly  ordered  to  join  the 
army  to  replace  Captain  Ogg. 

Lieutenant  Mackenzie  was  present  with  Major  Maule  at  the 
assault  of  the  pettah  gate,  and  he  was  also  with  the  storming 
party  employed  against  the  fort.  Although  there  were  doubtless 
other  engineer  officers  present,  T  have  been  unable  to  ascertain 
their  names. 

Our  total  loss  in  the  siege  operations  was  431  killed  and 
wounded. 

Europeans,  58  killed ;  wounded  1 80 ;  missing   1 
Natives        62       „  „       123  „         7 

Total     120  303  8 

Horses         36       „  „         11  „     224 

The  great  loss  of  horses,  271,  was  a  serious  misfortune,  as  it 
crippled  the  cavalry  very  much.  On  the  1st  day,  Lieutenant 
Wellwood  of  2nd  Native  Cavalry  was  killed,  and  Colonel  Floyd 
and  Cornet  Forbes  of  3rd  Native  Cavalry  wounded.  On  this  day, 
our  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  77.  On  the  7th,  when 
the  pettah  was  assaulted,  we  lost  3  officers  killed  and  4 
wounded,  26  men  killed  and  98  wounded. 

Lieutenant- Colonel  Moorhouse,  Madras  Artillery,  killed. 
Lieutenant  Conan,  ,,  „ 

Captain  Delany,  H,M.'s  36th  „ 


1791.]  MADEAS    ENGINEEES.  231 

Captain  Hart. 

Lieutenant  Evre.         ^ 

r)'     c        r  H.M.'s  36th,  wounded 
„  rarefoy  ' 

„         St   John  I 
On  the  21st,  when  the  assault  of  the  fort  took  place,  we  lost — 
17  men  killed,  and  5  officers  and  Si  men  wounded. 
Tiieutenant  Evans,  H.^M.'s  52nd,  wounded, 
r'aptiiin  Wood,  „        74th  ,, 

Lieutenant  John  Campbell,  H.M.'s,  74th,  wounded. 

Captain  ^larkham      ) 

TT-^i,,  .^    „  T        11        r    70th,  wounded. 
Volunteer  Lewellyn   j  ' 

The  loss  of  the  Pioneers  was — 

Killed,  2  sergeants,  1  Pfavildar,  and  21  men  ;   total  24 

Wounded,  1  sergeant,  and  24  men    ...          ...      ,,  2o 

Missing,  3  men            ...          ...          ...          ...      ,,  3 

Grand  total     52 

Tliis  was  more  tlian  any  other  corps,  except  H.M.'s  3Gth,  who 
lost  ten  killed  and  lil'ty-eight  wounded,  but  more  of  the  Pioneers 
were  killed  than  in  any  other  corps. 

Captain-Lieutenant  Terrot,  of  H.^I.'s  o2nd,  was  killed  on 
I6tii.  Ensign  J.  L.  Caldwell,''  Madras  Engineers,  was  wounded 
in  the  trenches 

(Jn  the  22nd,  Lord  Cornwallis  marched  to  the  south-west 
of  the  fort,  and  then,  having  levelled  the  approaches  and 
batteries,  cleared  and  repaired  the  breach,  and  organised  an 
arsenal,  he  moved  north,  e/f  route  to  DeonhuUy. 

A  detaciiment  of  artillery  was  left  with  the  heavy  park  in  the 
fort,  under  Coh^nel  Duff.  Ensign  Manoury,  H.M.'s  52nd,  did 
duty  as  assistant  engineer  in  the  fort. 

Tippoo  moved  towards  Pedda  Balapoor,  and  as  the  two 
ronds  by  which  the  armies  marched  crossed  diagonally,  they  met. 

*  This  officer  afterwards  became  General  Sir  J.  L.  Caldwell.  G.C  B. 


232  MILITAEY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1791. 

Tippoo  personally  covered  his  retreat  with  his  cavalry,  and  in 
effecting  it,  he  lost  one  hrass  9-pounder. 

Our  army  halted  after  a  march  of  twenty  miles.  Tippoo 
meantime  collected  his  troops  at  Pedda  Balapoor  after  a  twenty- 
six  mile  march  ;  but  finding  he  was  only  eleven  miles  from  the 
English,  he  resumed  his  march,  after  a  few  hours'  halt,  to  the 
north-west  towards  Shevagunga.  Lord  Cornwallis'  object  was  to 
effect  a  junction  with  the  Nizam's  cavalry. 

Deonhully  and  Chota  Balapoor  surrendered.  The  latter 
was  garrisoned  by  Poligars,  who  undertook  its  defence ;  unfortu- 
nately the  place  was  retaken  by  escalade  shortly  after,  and  the 
garrison  suffered  the  amputation  of  a  leg  and  an  arm  each. 
Lord  Cornwallis  marched  north  for  seventy  miles,  and  then 
remained  stationary  for  eight  days.  After  some  uncertainty  he 
resumed  his  northern  route,  and  formed  a  junction  with  the 
cavalry  two  days  after.  Having  done  so,  the  united  body 
marched  to  Vencatagherry  in  direction  of  a  convoy,  which  was 
escorted  by  4,000  men. 

Tippoo  attempted  a  strike  at  the  convoy  but  was  foiled,  and 
the  united  bodies  of  English  troops  moved  again  to  Bangalore  on 
the  28th  April. 

The  garrison  at  Bangalore  was  withdrawn,  and  replaced  by 
detachment  from  each  regiment  under  orders  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Oldham. 

Lord  Cornwallis  had  all  his  public  departments  in  a  some- 
what crippled  state ;  but  by  great  exertions  he  was  able  to 
advance  with  ample  equipments  of  every  kind  except  cattle. 

Tippoo  had  taken  up  a  strong  position  on  the  Cheunapatam 
Eoad,  supported  by  the  hill  forts  of  Ramgherry  and  Shevigherry, 
close  to  where  the  town  of  Closepett  now  stands.  Lord  Cornwallis, 
to  avoid  the  difficulties  of  this  position,  took  the  road  by  Can- 
kanhully  nearer  the  Cauvery.     The  army  marched  on  3rd  May. 

The  inhabitants  on  this  route,  with  all  their  cattle,  had  been 
removed   to   Sivasamoodrum.     The   road,   or   track,  was  much 


1791.1 


MADEAS    ENGINEEKS.  238 


intersected  with  rivulets  and  ravines,  and  as  there  was  a  good 
deal  of  rain,  the  exhaustion  of  the  cattle  daily  increased.  On 
the  13th  May,  the  army  reached  Arrikera,  nine  miles  east  of 
Seringapatam.  At  this  time,  the  Bombay  army,  under  General 
Abercromhie,  was  in  possession  of  Periapatam,  forty  miles  west 
of  Seringapatam. 

The  ordnance  with  the  Madras  army  was  52  field  pieces,  a  few 
howitzers,  and  15  siege  guns. 

Lord  Cornwallis,  on  arriving  at  Arrikera,  found  the  Sultan's 
army  six  miles  in  his  front,  with  their  right  on  the  Cauvery,  and 
left  alongside  a  rugged  hill.  The  intermediate  ground  for 
approach  of  English  army  was  narrowed  to  one  and  a  half  miles, 
and  further  on  to  a  mile.  Lord  Cornwallis  found  he  could  cross 
the  ridge  of  hills  on  his  right,  and,  after  descending,  would 
gain  the  direct  road  from  Chennapatam  to  Seringapatam;  so  he 
determined  to  attempt  to  turn  the  enemy's  left  hy  a  night  march, 
gain  his  rear,  and  cut  off  his  retreat. 

Orders  were  given  for  six  regiments  Europeans,  twelve 
battalions  native  infantry,  three  regiments  of  native  cavalry,  and 
]9th  Dragoons,  with  field-pieces,  to  march  at  11  p.m.;  the 
rest  of  the  army  remaining  to  protect  the  camp,  &c. 

The  difficulty  of  the  ground  (which  was  full  of  ravines), 
was  greatly  enhanced  by  a  heavy  storm  of  rain,  and  the  conse- 
quent darkness. 

The  corps  got  separated  and  confused,  and  nothing  could  be 
done  till  dawn. 

Lord  Cornwallis  now  determined  to  force  an  action.  In  rear 
of  Tippoo's  position  was  the  high  hill  of  Carighaut,  crowned  by 
a  redoubt.  Tippoo's  own  position  was  a  lower  branch  of  the  same 
ridge,  and  a  more  direct  continuation  of  the  Carighaut  Hill 
running  north  formed  a  rocky  ridge  two  or  three  miles  on  his 
left,  at  right  angles  with  the  line  of  the  English  column, 
which  was  descending  the  Eastern  Hill  to  cross  the  same  ravine 
which  ran  along  his  front. 


234  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [mi. 

Tippoo  seized  this  rocky  ridge  with  cavalry,  infantry,  and 
eight  guns,  and  changed  front  to  the  left  with  his  main  hody  ; 
he  then  advanced.  As  soon  as  the  first  English  corps  cleared 
the  hollow  and  ravines,  the  guns  on  the  rocky  ridge  opened  on 
them. 

In  front  of  the  English  column  was  now  a  strong  position 
occupied  by  a  powerful  force,  and  on  the  left  the  main  body  of 
the  enemy  preparing  to  advance  in  line.  The  English  army  was 
accordingly  ordered  to  form  into  two  fronts  at  right  angles  to 
each  other.  While  this  was  being  done,  Tippoo's  cavalry  made 
an  unsuccessful  attack. 

The  formation  of  the  English  army  being  completed,  the 
position  on  the  rocky  ridge  was  attacked  by  five  battalions,  under 
Colonel  Maxwell.  The  eight  guns  were  drawn  off,  but  the 
infantry  continued  to  fire.  Colonel  Maxwell  quickly  broke  the 
infantry,  and  even  took  three  guns.  This  attack  having  been 
successful,  the  remainder  of  the  army  advanced  in  two  lines 
against  the  main  body,  and  the  action  became  general. 

After  the  British  line  had  passed  the  first  hollow,  and  was 
ascending  the  next  height,  the  fire  of  Tippoo's  artillery  relaxed, 
and  the  infantry  covered  the  retreat  of  his  guns.  As  the 
British  advanced  the  enemy's  infantry  retreated,  making  a  stand 
at  each  succeeding  height.  Colonel  Maxwell,  by  this  time,  was 
turning  the  enemy's  left,  and  the  Mysore  infantry  began  to 
retreat  more  rapidly.  Our  cavalry  now  charged  the  rear-guard 
of  the  enemy's  infantry,  and  nearly  destroyed  them. 

The  cavalry  were  then  drawn  off;  but  the  Nizam's  cavalry  by 
this  time  were  in  front  of  the  left  wing  of  our  army,  and  for 
some  time  would  neither  advance  nor  recede  to  the  left,  and  an 
opportunity  was  thus  given  for  the  escape  of  Tippoo's  infantry 
and  guns.  On  getting  clear  of  the  cavalry,  the  position  of  the 
Mysoreans  was  quickly  forced,  and  pursuit  continued  till  the 
works  on  the  Seringapatam  island  covered  the  fugitives. 

The  English  army  lay  on  their  arms  on   the  ground   where  the 


1791.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  235 

battle  terminated,  and,  when  the  tents  arrived,  encamped  just  out 
of  range  of  the  enemy's  cannon  on  the  island. 

Our  loss  in  the  battle  was — 

Killed.       Wounded.  Missing.  Total. 

Europeans          27              113  —  140 

Natives       ...     54             226  6  286 

81  339  6  426 

besides  54  horses      Four  oflScers  were  killed  and  18  wounded. 

Killed. 

Cornet  J.  Patterson,  19th  Light  Dragoons, 

Lieutenant  I.  Leonard,  H.M.'s  62nd. 

„        Edward  Brooke,  H.M.'s  76th. 

Ensign  Charles  Ross,  13th  Bengal  Native  Infantry. 

Wounded. 

Comet  R.  Mackenzie,) 

T  -r^    ^  -    19tn  Dracfoons. 

,,      J.  rortman,      j  ^ 

Lieutenant  R.  Frennan,  H.M.'s  36th. 

„         R.  Mackenzie,  H.M  *s  71st. 

Ensign  J.  Stuart  ,, 

Lieutenant  William  Whittle,  H.M.'s  72nd. 

C.  Griffiths,  „       76th. 

„         J.  Dent,  Staff. 

,,         D.  Macpherson,  2nd  Battery  Artillery. 

„         J.  Macarkill,  1 4th  Bengal  Native  Infantry. 

W.  Maxwell,  28th 

Ensign  R.  Spottiswood,  ,, 

Major  Stevenson, \ 

Cornet  Forbes,      I  3rd  Native  Cavalry. 

„     M.  Cosby,) 

,,     J.  Doveton,  5th  „ 

Lieutenant  E.  Corner,  1st  Madras  Native  Infantry. 

,,         S.  Jewerett,  ,, 

The  Pioneers  only  had  two  men  wounded. 

The   loss  sustained   by  Tippoo  was  never  properly  ascertained, 
but  the  Mysoreans  themselves  put  it  at  from   1,500   to  2,000. 


236  MILITAEY   HISTOKY   OF    THE  [1791. 

Lord  Cornwallis  now  moved  on  Caniambaddy  by  a  circuitous 
march  of  20  miles.  During  the  latter  part  uf  the  march  from 
Bangalore  many  of  the  heavy  guns  had  to  be  dragged  by  the 
troops,  and  in  the  two  last  marches  to  Caniambaddy  all  the 
battering  train,  &c.,  was  moved  in  that  way.  When  Lord  Corn- 
wallis reached  Caniambaddy  he  saw  the  impossibility  of  moving 
the  heavy  guns  any  further,  and  resolved  to  relinquish  the  plan 
of  campaign. 

On  the  21st  May,  orders  were  sent  to  General  Abercrombie  to 
return  to  Malabar.  On  the  22nd,  all  the  batteiing  train  and 
heavy  equipments  were  destroyed. 

On  the  24th,  Colonel  Stuart  with  three  brigades  was  sent 
across  the  river  to  obtain  intelligence  regarding  General  Aber- 
crombie. On  the  2r)th,  they  returned  without  news.  The  Bombay 
army,  however,  received  the  order  to  retire,  buried  their  battering 
train  at  the  head  of  the  pass,  and  reached  the  coast  in  safety. 

Besides  the  difficulty  about  carriage  for  heavy  stores,  there 
was  an  alarming  deficiency  in  our  public  stock  of  ]n'ovisions, 
rice  selling  at  a  pagoda  for  one  seer.* 

On  26th  May,  the  army  commenced  its  march  to  Bangalore 
by  a  northern  route  past  Hoolioor  Droog.  They  had  not  gone 
half  a  march,  when  they  met  the  Mahratta  army  on  28th  May  at 
Milgotta,  under  Purseram  Bhow.  Purseram  Bhow  had,  on  7th 
April  1791,  captured  Dharwar  after  a  siege  of  twenty-nine  weeks. 
With  him  was  Captain  Little's  detachment,  which  accompanied 
the  Mahratta  array  in  accordance  with  treaty  obligations.  The 
detachment  did  splendid  service  from  May  1790,  until  late  in 
June  1792.  Johnson  and  Stuart,  of  the  Bombay  Engineers, 
served  with  the  detachments.  Johnson  (afterwards  C.B.)  will 
come  under  notice  further  on. 

Stuart  was  killed  at  Dharwar  on  16th  January  1791,  by  a 
musket  ball  in  his  breast. 

"  At  8  P.M.,  as  the  engineers  were  as  usual  going  to  repair 
*  A  seer  is  about  2  lbs. 


1791.]  MADEAS    EKGINEEES.  237 

damage  done  to  oar  battery  in  the  day,  Lieutenant  Stuart  was 
killed.  The  detachment  will  sensibly  feel  the  loss  of  this  active 
and  promising  young  man." 

He  entered  the  service  21st  November,  1782. 

Tippoo's  cavalry  had  been  so  excellent,  that  Cornwallis  did 
not  know  there  was  a  Mahratta  within  150  miles. 

The  English  had  now  plenty  of  food,  and  the  army  moved 
leisurely  to  Bangalore,  wishing  to  subsist  for  as  long  as  possible 
on  Tippoo's  country. 

On  14th  June,  it  had  only  reached  to  about  ten  miles  east  of 
Nagamungalum,  and  about  ten  miles  distant  from  Hoolioor 
Droog. 

The  town  of  Hoolioor  was  easily  taken,  and  the  garrison  of 
the  fort  capitulated.  Hoolioor  Droog  was  dismantled  and 
abandoned,  and  by  the  9th  July  the  army  was  encamped  seven 
miles  west  of  Bangalore.  After  the  requisite  arrangements  had 
been  made  at  Bangalore,  Cornwallis  moved  in  direction  of 
Palicode  and  Ryacottah. 

On  15th  July,  Major  Gowdie,  who  had  been  sent  on  in  front 
with  a  brigade,  occupied  Oossoor  on  the  same  day.  The 
engineers  who  accompanied  this  advanced  brigade  were : — 

Lieutenant    Colin    Mackenzie,    Ensigns    Alexander    Cree 
and  J.  L.  Caldwell. 

From  Oossoor,  Major  Gowdie  advanced  against  the  fort  of 
Ryacottah. 

The  lower  works  were  forced  before  daylight  by  blowing  open 
a  gale.  Several  successive  gates  were  also  carried ;  but  it  was 
considered  imprudent  to  attempt  the  summit.  Gowdie  held  his 
ground  in  an  intermediate  line  of  works,  half-way  up  the  hill ; 
and  on  the  appearance  of  our  army,  the  place  capitulated  after 
two  breaching  guns  and  a  regiment  of  sepoys  had  been  sent  to 
re-inforce  Gowdie.  The  place  was  found  well  supplied  with 
military  stores,  400  stand  of  muskets,  &c.  During  the  operations 
Ensign  Alexander  Cree,  of  the  Madras  Engineers,  was  killed. 


238  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  11791. 

Gowdie's  brigade  after  this  took  Ancbitty  Droog,  Neelagbeery, 
Kutnagberry,  Oodea  Droog,  and  Cbinrai  Droog. 

On  29tb  July,  tbe  army  moved  again  towards  Oossoor  to 
cover  a  convoy  from  Amboor,  wbich  joined  on  lOtb  August. 

On  12tb  September,  Cornwallis  determined  to  send  Major 
Gowdie  with  his  brigade — four  12-pounders  and  one  mortar — 
to  reduce  Rahmanghur.  It  surrendered  on  evening  of  ]  7tb, 
shortly  after  the  artillery  had  opened  fire.  Major  Gowdie  then 
marched  towards  Nundidroog.  On  arriving  at  Lilgotta  he  heard 
that  Curamer-u-din,  with  5,000  horse  and  five  "  cushoons  "  of 
infantry,  was  encamped  at  Goree  Bednore,  a  pass  twenty  miles 
north  of  Nundidroog,  intending  to  relieve  Gurrumcondah. 

He  halted  two  days,  advanced  on  the  22nd  to  Nundy  and 
took  possession  of  the  pettah. 

On  the  23rd,  Cummer-u-din  arrived  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
the  fort,  and  Major  Gowdie  took  post  near  Chinnda  Balapoor. 

Cornwallis  moved  north  to  protect  Major  Gowdie,  and  cover 
the  siege  of  Gurrumcondah  as  well. 

It  may  here  be  mentioned  that  the  remains  of  the  late  Colonel 
Moorhouse  were  sent  from  Bangalore  to  the  Presidency,  and  the 
following  inscription  for  Lieutenant-Colonel  Moorhouse's 
tablet,*  drawn  up  by  Major  Maule,  who  was  Chief  Engineer 
at  the  siege  of  Bangalore,  will  prove  interesting  to  many,  as 
showing  how  highly  Colonel  Moorhouse  was  esteemed  by  his 
brother  ofiicers :  — 

"  To  record  the  public  sense  of  the  distinguished  services, 
and  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  the  late  Joseph  Moorhouse, 
Esquire,  Lieutenant- Colonel  of  the  Coast  Artillery,  who  was 
killed  at  the  attack  of  the  Pettah  Gate  of  Bengalore,  on  the 
seventh  day  of  March,  Anno  Domini  mdccxci.,  this  Tablet 
was  erected  by  orders  of  the  Government  of  Madras,  during  the 
administration   of  Sir   Charles   Oakley,  Bart.     Respect  for  the 

*  A  monument  was  erected  to  the  memory  of  Colonel  Moorhouse  by  the  East 
India  Company  in  St  Mary's  Chui'ch,  Foi-t  St.  George,  with  another  inscription. 


d'Ballayip(tt»  m  VtfJS'^  (^Or  mlf,  Sjgr 
f/iaSuySr  cnflgy"'  O^'-W'  ffie  ^^ma 
h  h  J/u  Itv  hrtt/^Jici;  mri-ted  iyolrrrrt 

Part  c/"  fJtc  lit/acfi»neni-  ^tnrta  f/ir  .ri 


N  U  N  D  I  D  R  O  O  G 

BM/T/SIf  AJiMV  SScTii 


1791 J  MADRAS    ENGINEEES.  239 

character,  and  Regret  for  the  loss  of  an  oflBcer,  who  from  the  ardent 
love  of  his  profession  derived  the  most  successful  practice  of  it, 
have  rendered  this  Tribute,  the  Meed  of  Fame,  doubly  grateful 
to  those  who  have  bestowed  it,  since  in  its  transmission  to 
Posterity  it  will  acquire  additional  Energy  and  Lustre  from 
the  reflection  that,  to  the  eminent  qualification  of  the  Brave  and 
Gallant  soldier  were  united  the  generous  and  social  virtues  of 
the  Truly  Honest  man." 

The  engineers  present  at  the  siege  of  Nundidroog  were: — 
Lieutenant  Mackenzie,  senior  engineer. 
Ensign  Caldwell,  and 
„      Farquhar;  also 
„      Stokoe,  Bengal  Engineers. 

In  addition  to  these,  Captain  Kyd,  of  the  Bengal  Engineers, 
Aide-de-Camp  to  Lord  Cornwallis,  gave  his  assistance. 

Lieutenant  Dowse  commanded  a  body  of  100  pioneers. 

On  27th  September  1791,  Nundidroog  was  invested.  The 
fort  is  situated  on  a  precipitous  granite  rock,  2,000  feet  above 
the  plain.  On  the  only  accessible  side,  it  was  defended  by  two 
strong  walls,  and  an  outwork  to  cover  the  gateway. 

On  the  29th,  Major  Gowdie  was  joined  by  two  24-pounders, 
and  four  mortars. 

On  2nd  October,  with  astonishing  labour,  two  24-pounders, 
two  12-pouuders,  and  two  18-pounders  were  dragged  up,  and 
got  into  battery  on  an  adjoining  hill,  by  means  of  ropes  fastened 
round  posts  (driven  into  the  ground)  and  trees  ;  and  on  the  4th 
this  and  a  mortar  battery  from  the  pettah  opened  fire,  but  the 
height  of  the  hill  was  too  great  for  the  mortars,  and  the  guns 
were  unable  to  make  any  impression  on  the  solid  blocks  of 
stone,  being  too  far  off.  It  was  then  resolved  to  carry  approaches 
up  the  steep  rocky  hill  to  within  breaching  distance  of  the  out- 
work. Alter  very  great  exertions  batteries  were  erected  and  a 
gun-road  formed.  Eight  18-pounders  were  dragged  up  the 
Ml. 


240  MILITAEY   HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1T91. 


Two  elephants  were  used  for  each  gun,  assisted  by  four  drag 
ropes,  and  crowds  of  men. 

On  the  12th,  this  battery  (within  500  yards  of  the  outer  wall), 
opened  fire,  and  soon  silenced  all  the  guns  in  its  direction 
except  one  on  the  south  east  angle.  A  traverse  was  raised 
against  this,  and  an  additional  battery  was  made ;  into  this, 
with  immense  labour,  a  12-pounder  was  conveyed,  and  under 
its  fire  the  south  east  angle  gave  way,  and  the  gun  was  tumbled 
down  the  rock. 

Fire  slackened  till  the  16th,  when  a  fresh  supply  of  ammunition 
was  received.  The  breach  was  now  practicable,  and  on  the  18th 
the  army  moved  up.  An  artillery  ofiicer  with  a  small  mortar 
(used  as  a  petard  for  blowing  open  the  gate  of  the  inner  wall) 
accompanied  the  storming  party.  Resistance  was  at  first  great, 
but  did  not  last  long.  The  gate  in  the  inner  wall  was  forced, 
and  the  English  became  masters  of  the  fort.* 

On  19th  October,  Lord  Cornwallis  issued  the  following 
order: — "Lord  Cornwallis  having  been  witness  of  the  extra- 
ordinary obstacles,  both  of  nature  and  art,  which  were  opposed 
to  the  detachments  of  the  army,  which  attacked  Nundy  Durgum. 
He  cannot  too  highly  applaud  the  firmness,  and  exertions 
which  were  manifested  by  all  ranks  in  carrying  on  the 
operations  of  the  siege,  or  the  valour  and  discipline  which  were 
displayed  by  the  flank  companies  of  H.M.'s  36th  and  7]8t. 
To  Captain  Reed,  for  his  almost  unexampled!  perseverance 
in  carrying  on  an  approach,  and  establishing  a  parallel  near  the 
enemy's  works  on  the  ascent  of  the  hill,  which  was  calculated  to 
facilitate  the  success  of  the  assault ;  to  Captain  Kyd,  his 
lordship's  Aide-de-Camp,  for  the  zealous  and  able  professional 
assistance  which  he  gave  as  an  engineer ;  and  to  Lieutenant 
Mackenzie,   the    senior    engineer    on    duty,    for    the    skill    and 

*  The  garrison  lost  GOO  killed  and  wounded  and  prisoners ;  seventeen  guns 
•were  found  mounted  in  the  fort  and  many  gingalls,  and  the  place  was  found  well 
provided  for  a  siege. 


1791.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  241 

indefatigable  industry  which  he  uniformly  exerted  both  at 
Kahmanghur  and  during  the  whole  of  this  siege,  he  tenders  his 
best  thanks. 

"  Although  the  services  of  the  Pioneers  are  less  brilliant  than 
those  of  the  troops,  they  are  of  peculiar  value  in  such  operations, 
and  his  lordship  thinks  himself  called  on,  in  justice  to  Lieutenant 
Dowse,  and  all  non-commissioned  officers  and  men  of  Pioneer 
Corps,  as  well  as  to  Ensign  Stokoe,  Bengal  Engineers,  who 
assisted  with  so  much  ability  in  directing  their  labour,  to  declare 
that  their  behaviour  on  this  occasion  has  deserved  his  highest 
commendation." 

Our  loss  during  the  siege  amounted  to  forty  Europeans,  and 
eighty  Natives,  killed  and  wounded. 

On  3 1st  October,  the  Fort  of  Pinagra  was  taken  by  escalade  by 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Hamilton  Maxwell,  and  on  7th  November 
Gurrumcondah  was  also  captured. 

On  Srd  November,  after  a  most  gallant  defence  of  twenty  eight 
days,  against  tremendous  odds,  Lieutenant  Chalmers  surrendered 
Coimbatore  to  Cummer-u-Din,  Conditions  were  that  the  garri- 
son were  to  go  to  Palghaut,  and  thence  to  Madras,  and  not  to 
serve  again  during  present  war  ;  but  these  were  disregarded,  they 
were  made  prisoners,  and  eventually  marched  to  Seringapatam. 

On  29ih  November,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross,  Chief  Engi- 
neer, was  sent  by  Cornwallis  to  reconnoitre  Savandroog.  He 
was  accompanied  by  the  Quartermaster-General,  Captain 
Beatson,  of  Guides,  and  Lieutenant  Dowse,  with  pioneers.  His 
escort  consisted  of  three  battalions  of  infantry,  besides  a  squadron 
of  cavalry  under  Lieutenant  Elliot. 

This  fort  is  over  2,000  feet  high,  and  is  in  two  parts,  separated 
from  one  another  by  a  great  chasm 

The  lower  works  enclosed  both  these  upper  forts,  and  barriers 
had  b(;en  erected  wherever  ascent  was  practicable.  The  rock  is 
ten  miles  in  circumference,  and  surrounded  by  a  dense  forest 
five  or  six  miles  deep,  low   and  swampy.      Lieutenant-Colonel 

16 


242  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1791 

Ross  made  a  careful  survey  of  the  place,  and  from  his  report  it 
was  determined  to  attack  the  north  side. 

On  8th  Decemher,  a  detachment  under  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Stuart  consisting  of  52nd  and  7£-nd  Regiments,  14th  and  26th 
Bengal,  and  6th  Madras  Native  Infantry — Battery  Equipment, 
four  18-pounders,  four  12-pounders,  and  two  howitzers — was 
ordered  on  this  service. 

To  cover  the  attacking  force,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Cockerell, 
with  two  regiments  of  Madras  Native  Infantry  and  a  company 
of  Artillery,  was  at  Sandapeepa,  einht  miles  north-east;  Captain 
Welsh,  with  three  regiments  Native  Infantry,  at  Rahmanhulli, 
eight  miles  east-south-east ;  and  Captain  Read  with  another 
detachment,  was  posted  south-south-east. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross,  with  engineers  in  camp,  was  ordered 
to  accompany,  as  well  as  Lieutenant  Dowse  with  a  division  of 
pioneers. 

Lieutenant  Mackenzie,  Ensigns  Caldwell  and  Farquhar,  are 
known  to  have  heen  present. 

On  the  10th,  Lieutenant- Colonel  Stuart  marched.  On  the 
11th,  the  pioneers  cut  a  road  through  dense  jungle  to  the  place 
where  our  hatteries  were  to  be  erected. 

This  was  a  work  of  incredible  labour,  over  rocky  hills  and 
through  thick  forest.  In  many  places  they  were  obliged  to  drag 
the  guns  over  high  rocks,  and  the  forest  of  bamboos  greatly 
increased  their  difficulties.  The  enemy  oflFered  little  opposition, 
as  they  relied  on  the  strength  of  the  place,  and  unhealthiness  of 
its  surroundings. 

The  difficulties  were  so  great,  that  it  was  not  till  the  1 7th 
that  two  batteries  opened,  one  of  three  18-ponnders  at  800  yards, 
and  other  of  three  12-pounders  and  two  18- pounders  at  700 
yards.  The  guns  had  to  be  fired  with  an  elevation  of  23°. 
It  was  found,  however,  that  as  the  walls  were  formed  of  large 
slabs  of  stones  fastened  together  by  iron  rivets,  the  effect  was  not 
great;  the  less  so,  owing  to  the  indirect  fire.     By  the  19th,  two 


1791.3  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  243 

Other  2-gun  batteries  were  opened  at  250  yards  from  the  walls, 
and  the  12-pounders  were  replaced  by  18-pounders,  when  a 
breach  was  made.  On  the  20th,  the  breach  was  reconnoitred, 
fire  was  kept  up  all  day,  and  before  dark  the  breach  widened,  and 
the  outer  wail  shattered  to  the  foundation. 

On  the  21st,  at  JO  a.m  ,  the  formidable  and  important  fortress 
of  Savandroog  was  assaulted.  The  assailants  ascended  the  rock 
without  opposition.  Bamboos  had  been  planted  close  up  to  the 
walls  on  this  side  of  Savandroog.  The  rock  is  so  very  steep, 
that  without  the  assistance  of  the  jungle  it  would  have  been 
extremely  difficult  to  ascend  to  the  assault,  but  under  cover  of 
it,  a  lodgment  was  made  for  the  troops  within  twenty  yards  of  the 
breacli.  During  the  assault  the  band  of  the  .')2nd  played 
"  Britons,  strike  Home."  The  eastern  citadel  was  completely 
carried.  The  Killadar  of  the  western  citadel  attempted  to  retake 
it,  but  was  met  by  a  division  of  the  attacking  party,  and 
retreated,  followed  by  the  English  troops.  The  Killadar  fell  as 
he  approached  the  gate  of  his  citadel,  and  the  pursuers  entered. 
Everything  was  carried  within  one  hour,  and  thus  Savandroog 
was  taken  twelve  days  after  arrival  of  the  troops,  and  five  days 
after  batteries  were  commenced. 

About  iOO  of  the  enemy  were  killed  on  the  West  Hill  alone, 
and  several  fell  down  precipices  in  trying  to  escape. 

In  the  assault  not  one  of  the  English  was  killed,  and  only  one 
wounded. 

On  the  23rd,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stuart  marched  for  Ootra- 
droog. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  orders  by  liOrd  Oornw.illis 
regarding  the  capture  of  Savandroog  : — 

"  His  Lordship  also  returns  his  best  thanks  to  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Ross,  Chief  Engineer,  for  the  judicious  choice  which  he 
made  of  proper  situations  for  the  batteries,  and  for  the  great 
attention  that  he  paid  to  the  other  duties  of  his  station." 

On  the  same  day  that  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stuart  advanced. on 

16  • 


244  MILITAEY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1791. 

Ootradroog,  Ramgherry  and  Shivagherry,  on  the  road  to 
Seringapatam,  via  Chennapatam,  surrendered  without  much 
resistance  to  a  detachment  under  Captain  Welsh. 

As  soon  as  Colonel  Stuart  appeared  before  Ootradroog,  he 
sent  forward  to  offer  the  Killadar  liberal  terms.  The  flag  of 
truce  was  escorted  to  a  proper  distance,  and  the  garrison 
beckoned  the  staff  officer  to  advance.  When  he  was  within 
sixty  yards,  a  fire  of  musketry  was  opened,  from  which  both  he 
and  the  sergeant  escaped.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross,  the  Chief 
Engineer,  accompanied  the  escort,  and  examined  the  ground. 
The  mode  of  attack  was  novel.  A  number  of  field-pieces  were 
run  down,  and  under  cover  of  their  fire  the  escalade  commenced. 

Lieutenant  Mclnnes,  of  H.M.'s  72nd,  led  the  storm,  with  part 
of  Europeans  and  pioneers,  commanded  by  Lieutenants  Dowse 
and  Macpherson,  supported  by  Captain  Scott. 

The  side  of  the  rock  assaulted  was  not  precipitous,  but  was 
at  an  angle  of  about  35°,  defended  by  seven  ramparts.  The 
Artillery  were  directed,  as  soon  as  one  wall  was  carried,  to  point 
their  guns  over  the  assailants,  to  keep  down  the  fire  of  the  enemy. 

Some  of  the  gateways  were  forced  by  the  pioneers,  but  most  of 
the  ramparts  were  carried  by  escalade.  The  fort  was  found  to 
have  been  captured  without  the  loss  of  a  single  life,  and  with  a 
very  few  wounded.* 

Hoolioordroog  was,  after  having  been  re-occupied  by  the 
enemy,  retaken  by  English  in  their  advance,  with  ease,  and 
nothing  remained  to  interfere  between  the  British  army  and 
Seringapatam,  except  Cubhauldroog,  which,  being  on  the  lower 
road,  Cornw^allis  thought  it  useless  to  waste  time  over  it. 

A  party  of  Brinjarries  from  camp,   however,   surprised   the 


*  General  after  orders,  25th  December  1791.  Lord  Cornwallis  thanked  Lieute- 
nant-Colonel Stuart  for  his  judgment,  Captain  Scott  for  spirit  and  good  conduct ; 
also  Lieutenant  Mclnnes  of  72nd  Regiment  and  Lieutenants  Macpherson  and 
Dowse,  who  conducted  the  European  and  Native  Pioneers  that  were  employed 
in  carrying  the  scaling  ladders  and  breaking  open  the  gates. 


1793.]  MADKAS   ENGINEEHS.  245 

lower  fort  and  attempted  the  upper,  but  were  beaten  back.  They, 
in  spite  of  their  repulse,  plundered  the  pettah,  loaded  their 
cattle  with  provisions,  &c.,  and  returned  to  the  army  in  great 
triumph. 

On  25th  January,  1792,  the  British,  Nizam's,  and  Mahratta 
armies  were  united  near  Savandroog.  On  1st  February,  they  all 
moved  towards  Seringapatam  in  three  parallel  columns. 

On  the  5tb,  the  army  marched  across  the  range  of  barren  hills 
north-east  of  Seringapatam,  and  having  proceeded  ten  miles 
they  arrived  on  their  ground  at  2,  which,  extending  across  the 
valley  of  MilgotLah,  fronted  Tippoo  at  six  miles  from  his 
camp — battering  train  in  the  centre,  and  the  infantry  and  field- 
pieces  on  the  right,  and  private  baggage,  &c.  on  the  left, 
protected  by  cavalry. 

It  is  now  necessary  to  mention  the  Bombay  army  under  Major- 
General  Abercrombie. 

It  was  nearly  9,000  strong. 

European  artillery,     216  ;  Native  artillery,     500  ; 
„        infantry,  2,810  ;        „      infantry,  5,432  ; 
with  twenty  brass  6 -pounders,  and  sixteen  battering  guns  ; 
i.e.  Ten  iron  i8-pounders. 
Four    ,,    12-pounders. 
One  brass  10-inch  howitzer. 
One     ,,      8-inch  ,, 

The  Chief  Engineer  was  Major  Sartorius  of  the  Bombay 
Engineers. 

The  1st  Brigade  was  commanded  by  Colonel  Balfour. 

The  2nd  „  „  Lieut.-Colonel  Peche. 

The  3rd  „  „  Major  Sterling. 

Reserve  commanded  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hartley  (who  so 
greatly  distinguished  himself  in  1790  on  Malabar  coast). 

Artillery  under  Major  Jones. 

General   Abercrombie  returned   to  Tellicherry  from  Bombay 


246  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1702. 

early  in  November.  His  troops  assembled  at  Cannanore, 
marched  on  5th  December  to  the  Poodicherrum  Ghaut,  and 
crossed  the  river  at  Illiacore  on  the  7th  in  boats.  The  ghaut 
road  was  repaired,  while  the  field  train  was  brought  across  the 
river.  The  four  brigades  began  to  ascend  the  last  stage  on 
l7th  December.  Although  it  was  only  two  miles  long,  two  days 
were  required  to  drag  the  twenty  6-pounder  field-pieces.  Three 
weeks  of  hard  labour  were  then  employed  in  bringing  up  the 
heavy  guns  and  two  howitzers. 

By  18th  January,  Cornwallis  ordered  them  to  advance  with 
field  artillery  alone,  and  the  heavy  guns  were  sent  back  to  the 
top  of  the  ghaut,  where  they  were  placed  in  batteries  constructed 
for  the  defence  of  the  pass,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Peche, 
with  300  men.  Native  troops  were  stationed  at  Thiacoi  and 
Biliapatam  to  keep  open  the  communications. 
The  army  under  Lord  Cornwallis  was  : — 

Cavalry — Europeans,    404;  Natives,     702 
Artillery  „  1,145  „       3,077 

Infantry  „  4,482  „     11,133 

Engineers        „  20  „  21 

Pioneers  „  15  ,,        1,034 


6,066       +        15,967  =22,033 

The  Chief  Engineer,  Lieutenant- Colonel  Patrick  Ross. 
Aide-de-Camp      to      Chief      Engineer,      Lieutenant      Colin 
Mackenzie. 

Captain  of  Guides,  Captain  A.  Beatson. 

Lieutenant  of  Guides,  Lieutenant  A.  Allen. 

The  Pioneers  were  divided  into  three  divisions :  — 

1st,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Lennon,  Madras  Engineers; 

2nd  „  Lieutenant  Dowse,  Pioneer  officer  ; 

3rd  „  Ensign  Stokoe,  Bengal  Engineers. 

The  British  encampment,  six  miles  from  Tippoo's  entrenched 
camp,  was  divided    by  the  river  Lockany.     The  right  wing  was 


1792.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  247 

from  the  river  to  the  rear  of  the  French  rocks,  and  a  large  tank  ; 
the  park  and  left  wing  extended  from  the  other  side  of  the  river 
to  the  hills,  which  the  English  crossed  in  their  last  march. 

The  reserve  were  encamped  a  mile  in  the  rear,  facing  outwards, 
with  the  stores  and  baggage  between.  Tippoo  had  left  the 
valley  as  bare  as  possible  of  dry  and  green  forage. 

At  II  A.M.  on  6th  February,  the  Chief  Engineer  (Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Ross),  the  Quartermaster-General,  the  Captains  of 
Guides,  and  other  officers  went  out  to  reconnoitre,  accompanied 
by  a  party  commanded  by  Lieutenant- Colonel  Maxwell.  They 
went  to  the  hills  in  left  of  our  front,  while  General  Medows, 
with  Colonel  Harris  and  the  rest  of  his  suite,  reconnoitred  the 
ground  in  front  of  the  right  wing.  The  party  with  the  Chief 
Engineer  had  a  distinct,  though  distant,  view  of  Tippoo's  camp. 

On  both  sides  of  the  river,  a  large  space  was  enclosed  by  a 
bound  hedge. 

On  south  side  it  was  filled  with  inhabitants. 

On  north  Tippoo's  army  was  posted. 

On  the  north  the  space  was  three  miles  long  by  half  a  mile 
broad. 

The  most  commanding  ground  was  situated  on  the  north  side 
of  the  fort. 

Besides  the  hedge,  the  position  was  covered  in  front  by  a 
large  canal,  with  rice-fields,  and  partly  by  the  Lockany  river. 

Six  large  redoubts  added  to  its  strength  ;  one  of  which,  on 
an  eminence  within  the  north-west  angle,  was  a  post  of  great 
strength,  and  covered  the  left. 

The  right  of  Tippoos  position  was  covered  by  the  Lockany 
river,  and  the  Carighaut  Hill.  On  this  last,  there  was  a  strong 
post  not  quite  finished.  This  fort  also  defended  the  ford  across 
the  Cauvery,  near  the  point  where  the  Lockany  joins  the 
former. 

The  east  of  the  island  was  fortified  towards  the  river  by  various 
redoubts    and    batteries,    connected    by    strong    entrenchments 


248  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1792. 

with  a  deep  ditch,  so  that  the  fort  and  island  formed  a  second 
line. 

The  front  line  was  defended  by  heavy  cannon  in  redoubts,  with 
his  light  train  and  army.  In  this,  there  were  100  pieces  of 
artillery,  and  in  the  second  line  as  many  as  300. 

The  redoubts  of  the  left  were  entrusted  to  Syed  Hamed 
and  Syed  Guffur,  supported  by  his  Europeans,  and  Lally's 
brigade,  commanded  by  Monsieur  Vigie.  Sheik  Anser  was  on 
Carighaut  Hill.  Tippoo  commanded  the  centre  and  right,  and 
had  his  tent  pitched  near  the  Sultan's  redoubt. 

The  garrison  in  the  fort  was  under  Syed  Sahib.  Tippoo's 
army  consisted  of  5,000  cavalry,  and  40,000  to  60,000 
infantry. 

Tippoo's  camp  was  nearly  the  same  as  that  adopted  by  Hyder 
in  1767  to  foil  the  Mahrattas.  Hyder  after  some  time  bought  off 
the  Mahrattas,  when  the  Nizam  and  he  united  to  exterminate 
the  English  from  the  Carnatic.  The  consequence  was  a  ruinous 
invasion,  and  although  it  was  most  ably  opposed  by  General 
Joseph  Smith,  the  English  Government  concluded  a  disgraceful 
peace,  which  Hyder  dictated  at  the  gates  of  Madras  in  1769. 

Tippoo  being  aware  of  all  this,  was  consequently  confident  of 
success. 

Cornwallis,  having  received  the  reports  of  the  Chief  Engineer 
and  other  reconnoitering  officers,  issued  the  following  orders  at 
5  P.M.  on  6th  February: — 

"  The  army  will  march  in  three  divisions  at  7  p.m. 
"  Right  Division  under   General  Medown  : 

"  H.M.'s  36th    and    76th   Regiments,    Lieutenant-Colonel 

Nesbitt. 
"  3rd  Brigade,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Cockerell. 
"  22nd  Native  Infantry,  Captain  Oram. 
"  Lieutenant   Lennon's    Pioneers,    and    a    detachment    of 

Engineer  officers  with  scaling  ladders. 


1792.]  MADEAS    EI^GINEEES.  249 

"  Centre  Division  under  Lord  Vornwallis. 

"  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stuart,  Commanding. 
"  H.M.'s  52nd,  71st,  and  74th,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Knox. 
"4th  Brigade,  Major  Russell. 
"  2nd  and  21st  Native  Infantry,  Major  Langley. 
"  Lieutenant    Dowse's    Pioneers,    and    a    detachment     of 
Engineer  officers  and  scaling  ladders. 

"  Le/t  Division. 
"Lieutenant- Colonel  Maxwell. 
"  72nd    Regiment   and    5th    Brigade,    Lieutenant-Colonel 

Band. 
"  Ensign  Stokoe's  Pioneers,  and  a  detachment  of  Engineer 
officers  and  scaling  ladders." 
"  If  the  right  attack  is  made  west  of  Somarpett,  the  troops, 
after  entering  are  to  turn  to  the  left ;  if  to  the  east  of  Somarpett, 
troops  to  turn  to  the  right,  and  dislodge  enemy  from  all  posts 
on  the  left. 

"  Troops  of  Centre  Division  to  turn  to  left ;  both  right  and 
centre  should,  however,  advance  nearly  to  extent  of  depth  of 
enemy's  camp  before  turning,  and  parts  of  both  divisions  will 
endeavour  to  mix  with  the  fugitives,  and  pass  over  to  the  island 
with  them." 

Colonel  DufF,  who  was  left  in  charge  of  the  camp,  was 
ordered  to  send  immediately  three  divisions  of  gun-lascars 
of  fifty  men  each  to  the  Chief  Engineer  to  carry  the  scaling 
ladders,  and  the  Chief  Engineer  to  send  them  to  the  divisions 
with  the  officers  of  his  corps. 

The  officers  of  Engineers  and  Pioneers  were  to  be  responsible 
that  the  ladders,  after  being  made  use  of,  were  not  left  care- 
lessly in  the  enemy's  works.  In  addition.  Major  Montague, 
Bengal  Artillery,  and  Captain  Ross,  11. A.,  with  two  subalterns 
and  fifty  Europeans,  Artillery,  with  spikes  and  hammers, 
accompanied  the  Centre  Division  ;  while  the  others  had  smaller 
similar  parties. 


250  MILITABY   HISTORY    OP    THE  n792. 

The  troops  had  just  been  dismissed  parade  at  6,  when  they 
were  again  directed  to  fall  in. 

By  8  P.M.  the  divisions  were  formed,  and  marched  out  in 
front. 

The  number  of  fighting  men  was  : — 

Europeans.  Natives. 

Eight  Division  ...  900         ...         2,400 

Centre       „  ...        1,400  ...  2,300 

Left  „  ...  500  ...  1,200 

2,800  +  5,900 


Grand  Total  8,700 

The  right  column  was  conducted  by  Captain  Beatson,  of  the 
Guides.  The  centre  by  Captain  Allen  and  Lieutenant  McLeod 
(Intelligence  Department),  and  native  guides  who  had  been 
within  the  enemy's  lines  with  these  officers  were  with  the  left 
column. 

Tippoo  did  not  expect  the  attack  so  soon.  He  thought 
Cornwallis  would  wait  for  the  Bombay  army,  and  the  Mahrattas 
under  Purseram  Bhow. 

He  still  less  imagined  that  a  fortified  camp  would  be  attacked 
by  infantry  alone,  during  the  night,  without  the  assistance  of 
artillery. 

Between  10  and  II,  the  centre  column,  within  a  mile  of  the 
bound  hedge,  touched  upon  the  enemy's  grand  guard  of  cavalry, 
that  was  coming  to  disturb  our  camp.  They  instantly  galloped 
off,  leaving  rocket  boys  to  harass  the  column. 

When  the  rocketing  commenced,  the  left  column  was  ascend- 
ing Carighaut  Hill,  and  the  front  division  of  the  centre 
pushed  on,  reached  the  hedge,  and  entered  the  lines  a  quarter  of 
an  hour  after  the  enemy  knew  of  the  advance. 

The  right  column  was  led  too  far  to  the  west,  and  was 
hence  later  in  reaching  the  bound  hedge.     They  entered  about 


1792.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  251 

half-past    II,   and,  turning  to  the  right,   advanced   against  the 
principal  redoubt,  near  the  white  Eedgah. 

The  battle  now  became  general,  but  the  fort  remained  silent. 

Operations  of  Right  Division. 

The  22nd  Native  Infantry  marched  on  the  right  flank,  and 
had  been  ordered  to  make  a  circuit  to  the  right,  keeping  outside 
the  hedge,  while  the  column  penetrated  into  the  camp.  Colonel 
Nesbitt,  at  head  of  the  column,  met  with  no  opposition,  wheeled 
his  division  to  the  right,  marched  along  the  hedge,  then  turned 
to  his  left  along  canal  bank,  crossed  it,  and  ascended  towards  the 
redoubt.  While  the  pioneers  were  cutting  down  the  hedge,  a 
few  shots  were  fired  from  the  redoubt,  but  after  this  the  leading 
division  met  with  no  opposition  till  they  had  crossed  the 
canal. 

The  36th  and  76th  rushed  forward,  and  drove  the  enemy 
from  the  covert  way,  but  repeated  ineffective  efforts  were  made 
to  pass  the  ditch.  A  pathway  was  at  last  found  across  the 
ditch,  which  led  from  the  end  of  the  mosque  into  the  redoubt. 
A  slight  gateway  was  soon  forced,  and  after  a  severe  conflict,  a 
large  traverse  between  the  gateway  and  body  of  the  redoubt  was 
taken.  The  enemy,  now  driven  to  the  inner  circle  of  redoubt, 
faced  towards  the  traverse,  and  turned  one  of  the  guns  against 
the  gorge.  The  fire  of  the  English  was  stopped,  and  a  charge 
made  with  the  bayonet,  but  grape  and  musketry  repulsed  the 
attack.  A  second  time  they  were  led  on  by  Major  Dirom  and 
Captain  Wright,  and  the  enemy  broke.  This  work  had  eight 
pieces  of  cannon,  and  was  flanked  by  three.  The  commandant 
and  400  men  fell  in  its  defence.  Our  loss  was  eleven  officers 
and  eighty  men  killed  and  wounded  ;  amongst  the  officers  was 
Lieutenant  Stuart,  of  the  Bengal  Engineers.  Lieutenant  Stuart, 
who  had  charge  of  scaling  ladders,  was  killed  while  gallantly 
pressing  turwiird  lo  tlie  ditcli,  and  several  lascars  who  carried 


^52  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE 


[1792. 


the  ladders  fell    at    the  same  time.     This  caused  great  incon- 
venience at  first  from  want  of  ladders. 

Monsieur  Vigie,  with  360  Europeans,  was  in  the  angle  of  the 
hedge  in  front  of  the  redoubt.  They  fired  on  Captain  Oram's 
battalion  outside  the  hedge  ;  but  finding  themselves  surrounded, 
they  broke  and  escaped,  chiefly  from  their  uniform  being  similar 
in  colour  to  ours.  A  garrison  was  left  in  the  redoubt,  and  then 
Medows  wheeled  to  the  left  to  co-operate  with  Cornwallis.  After 
marching  close  to  Mahomed  Redoubt,  the  General  resolved  to 
get  into  Cornwallis'  track  and  support  him  ;  so  the  right  column 
re-crossed  the  hedge  and  ditch.  Unfortunately  they  missed  the 
centre  column,  and  Medows  reached  Carighaut  Hill  without 
finding  Cornwallis.  An  officer  was  despatched  with  a  few 
troops  to  gain  intelligence,  but  he  returned  without  any.  Soon 
after  a  heavy  firing  commenced  between  the  fort  and  the  hill. 
Medows  then  countermarched,  and  was  advancing  when  day 
broke,  and  he  found  it  unnecessary  to  proceed. 

Operations  of  Centre  Division. 

The  front  division,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Knox,  about 
11,  forced  its  way  through  the  hedge  under  a  heavy  but  ill- 
directed  fire. 

The  enemy  gave  way  as  the  column  advanced,  and  the  leading 
companies  went  on  past  the  Sultan's  tent,  and  pushed  on  to  the 
river.  From  the  uncertain  light  and  the  tumult  of  a  night  attack 
they  separated  into  two  bodies.  The  first  body,  under  Monson, 
reached  the  river  and  crossed  it  under  the  walls  of  the  fort; 
they  found  the  east  gate  of  Seringapatam  closed,  so  they 
proceeded  along  the  glacis,  destroying  numbers  of  the  enemy. 

The  troops  then  took  post,  part  at  a  bridge  over  a  canal,  and 
part  at  a  redoubt  that  defended  the  south  ford.  The  second 
body,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Knox,  crossed  by  the  same  ford 
as  the  first  five  minutes  after.  The  passage  of  the  river  was 
difficult,  owing  to  the   number  of  the  enemy  pressing  into  the 


1702.;  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  253 

island.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Knox  turned  to  the  left,  proceeded 
to  the  Dov/lut  Bagh,  and  thence  to  the  west  gate  of  the  pettah 
of  Shahr-Ganjam.  Tlie  gate  was  soon  forced,  and  some  French 
prisoners  conducted  the  party  through  the  pettah  to  the  gate 
which  led  to  the  batteries  at  east  end  of  the  island.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Knox  had  marched  to  this  quarter  to  clear  the  batteries, 
which  commanded  the  ford  opposite  Pagoda  Hill,  and  hearing 
fire  from  the  river,  he  detached  three  parties  to  take  the  batteries 
in  reverse.  The  enemy,  completely  surprised,  deserted  the  lines 
and  dispersed. 

Lieutenant- Colonel  Knox  received  information  of  several 
Europeans  being  confined  in  a  house  near  by.  He  sent  a  party, 
who  released  twenty-seven  half-starved  wretches  in  heavy  irons — 
amongst  them  Mr.  Randal  Cadman,  a  middy,  taken  ten  years 
before. 

The  two  parties,  under  Knox  and  Monson,  were  followed  by 
seven  companies  of  52nd,  and  three  companies  of  14 th  Bengal 
battalion,  under  Captain  Hunter.  They  crossed  the  river 
opposite  the  Dowlut  Bagh. 

Captain  Hunter  thought  his  troops  were  the  first  on  the  island, 
and  resolved  to  remain  for  the  present  in  the  Dowlut  Bagh. 
Lieutenant  Dowse,  of  Pioneers,  now  volunteered  to  cross  the 
river,  and  inform  Cornwallis  what  was  going  on.  He  was 
soon  forced  to  return,  having  been  driven  back  by  a  party 
of  horse. 

After  remaining  about  two  hours  in  the  Dowlut  Bagh,  Captain 
Hunter  saw  a  party  of  the  enemy  with  two  field-pieces  on  the 
opposite  bank.  Captain  Hunter,  with  his  corps,  rushed  into 
the  river,  crossed  it  under  a  heavy  fire,  and  attacked  them.  He 
then  returned  through  the  camp,  and  joined  Cornwallis. 

When  the  14th  battalion  Bengal  was  near  the  iiedge  they  lost 
their  commandant.  Captain  Archdeacon,  and  were  thrown  into 
some  disorder.  Cornwallis  then  ordered  Major  Dalrymple  to 
advance  with    the  7 1st,  and   some   of  the    14th    Bengal.     They 


254  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1792. 

passed  the  hedge.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stuart  proceeded  with 
this  body  to  the  left,  and  advanced  on  Sultan's  Redoubt;  but  on 
mounting  the  walls  they  found  it  abandoned. 

Colonel  Stuart  left  a  garrison  in  it,  and,  liaving  gone  forward, 
completed  the  defeat  of  Tippoo's  right  wing,  the  flank  of  which 
had  been  turned  by  Lieutenant- Colonel  Maxwell  and  the  lelt 
division.  Major  Montague,  of  the  artillery,  employed  his  detach- 
ment in  securing  the  field-pieces  He  did  not  spike  them,  but 
threw  them  off  their  carriages,  and  rolled  the  wheels 
different  ways. 

The  74th,  with  2nd  and  2 1st  battalions  Madras  Native  Infantry, 
were  now  formed,  by  Lord  Cornwallis'  orders,  near  the  Sultan's 
Redoubt.  General  Medows  must  have  crossed  within  a  few 
hundred  yards  of  this  spot.  Captain  Hunter  had  joined  about 
two  hours  before  daylight  with  seven  companies  of  52nd,  and 
three  companies  of  1 4th  Bengal  Battalion.  Soon  after  their 
arrival  a  large  body  of  Tippoo's  troops  attacked.  The  English 
received  the  enemy  with  firmness,  and  charged  them  with  the 
bayonet.  The  attacks  of  the  enemy  were  repeatedly  renewed, 
and  it  was  near  daylight  before  they  were  finally  repulsed. 
Cornwallis  then  ordered  the  reserve  to  retire  towards  Pagoda  Hill, 
and  near  the  foot  of  the  hill  he  met  General  Medows  returning 
to  support  him. 

Operations  of  the  Left  Division. 

Carighaut  Hill,  which  is  steep  and  of  great  height,  was 
defended  by  a  double  breast-work,  in  front  of  a  stone  redoubt 
lately  completed  It  commanded  one  of  the  fords,  and  the  east 
end  of  the  island,  and  a  considerable  body  of  infantry  was  posted 
on  it.  Colonel  Maxwell  ascended  the  hill,  and  attacked  the 
works.  The  resistance  was  slight,  and  the  works  were  scaled  by 
the  flank  company  of  72nd.  The  loss  on  our  side  was  trifling, 
owint^  to  the  enemy  being  surprised,  and   the  commandant  being 


1792.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  255 

mortally  wounded.  A  party  was  left  in  possession,  and  the 
Colonel  proceeded  to  Hill  of  Carighaut  Pagoda. 

The  Colonel  then  moved  down  the  hill  towards  the  camp, 
when  his  force  was  much  galled  by  a  corps  behind  the  bank 
of  the  watercourse  at  the  foot  of  the  hill.  He  forced  his  way, 
however,  into  the  enemy's  camp,  and  proceeded  on,  till  he  met 
the  71st  and  centre  of  Cornwallis'  division. 

An  attempt  was  now  made  to  cross  the  north  branch  of  the 
Cauvery  ;  the  depth  of  water  rendered  the  event  doubtful,  and  the 
71st  and  72nd  lost  many  men  in  the  river.  At  last  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Baird  (afterwards  Sir  David)  reached  the  opposite 
bank  with  a  few  men,  but  with  all  their  cartridges  wet ;  the 
bayonet,  however,  was  unnecessary,  as  at  this  time  fire  ceased, 
the  enemy  having  been  driven  from  their  batteries  by  the 
parties  which  Lieutenant-Colonel  Knox  had  sent  from  the  pettah 
of  Shahr-Ganjam. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Maxwell  crossed  the  river  a  little  to  left 
of  the  point  where  the  first  troops  had  passed,  and  went  into  the 
island  with  the  remainder  of  his  column,  followed  soon  after,  by 
the  rest  of  troops  under  Lieutenant- Colonel  Stuart,  who  also 
joined  Lieutenant-Colonel  Knox  at  the  pettah.  Colonel  Stuart 
was  making  a  circuit  of  the  walls,  when  they  met  a  body  of  horse 
who  had  been  during  the  night  in  the  Lai  Bagh  ;  and  at  the 
same  time  a  body  of  Europeans  were  seen  marching  across  from 
the  south  side  of  the  island.  These  were  the  leading  companies 
of  Cornwallis'  column  which  had  first  entered  the  island. 

The  Centre  and  Left  Divisions  had  thus  fully  executed  the 
parts  allotted  them  ;  and  the  Right,  although  unfortunate  in  the 
direction  of  their  operations,  had  had  their  share  of  the  danger 
and  fatigues  of  the  night,  and  had  taken  the  Eedgah,  a  post  of 
such  consequence  that  the  enemy  could  not  remain  in  force  on 
north  of  river  after  its  capture. 

Cornwallis  had  been  on  horseback  all  night,  and  had  his  left 
hand  grazed  by  a  musket-shot.     He  was  attended  by  Lieutenant- 


256  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1792. 

Colonel  Ross,  Adjutant  General,  Majors  Skelly  and  Haldane, 
Captain  Madan,  Captain  Kyd  of  the  Bengal  Engineers,  one  of 
his  aides-de-camp,  Captain  Apsley,  Mr.  Cherry,  Dr.  Land, 
Lieutenant  Turner,  with  Lord  Cornwallis' body-guard,  Lieutenant- 
Colonels  Malcolm  and  Richardson  and  Major  Stuart,  also 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Martin  and  Mr.  King,  commissaries  of 
provisions. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross,  Chief  Engineer,  Lieutenant  Colin 
Mackenzie,  his  aide-de-camp  and  some  other  engineer  officers 
had  likewise  been  with  Lord  Cornwallis,  but  they  joined  the 
division  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stuart,  and  crossed  with  him 
into  the  island. 

Lieutenant  Hemming,  of  the  Madras  Engineers,  was  with 
the  Centre  Division,  and  was  wounded  during  the  night. 
Although  night  was  over,  the  battle  was  not  ended. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Stuart  took  up  a  strong  position  in  front 
of  the  Lai  Bagh,  across  the  island.  His  right  covered  the  ford, 
occupied  lines  and  batteries  between  the  pettah,  and  the  river, 
which  had  been  constructed  as  a  defence. 

A  little  after  daylight,  Cornwallis  sent  supplies  of  ammunition, 
and  also  3Gth  Regiment,  and  3rd  Battalion  to  reinforce  the 
island,  and  the  enemy's  attacks  were  repulsed. 

At  this  time,  the  enemy  were  keeping  up  a  constant  fire  on 
Sultan's  Redoubt.  This  work  was  somewhat  like  the  Eedgah 
Redoubt,  but  its  gorge  was  open  towards  the  fort.  The  party 
for  its  defence  was  commanded  by  Captain  Sibbald,  and 
numbered  150  men. 

Towards  morning,  while  the  enemy  attacked  Cornwallis  who 
was  with  the  reserve,  they  also  attacked  the  redoubt. 

Our  army  being  kept  at  a  distance  by  the  guns  of  the  fort,  the 
small  party  in  the  redoubt  were  left  to  their  fate,  to  have  the 
honour  of  disputing  this  point  with  the  remains  of  the  enemy's 
force.  The  garrison  attempted  to  close  the  gorge,  with  broken 
doolies   and  a    gun  carriage,  but    three  guns    opened   from  the 


1702.1  MADBAS    ENGINEERS.  257 

fort  on  the  gorge,  and  two  field-pieces  from  the  rocks,  which 
soon  destroyed  this.  As  soon  as  the  gorge  was  clear,  the  enemy 
advanced  to  the  assault,  but  they  were  beaten  back.  In  this 
attack  Lieutenant  Buchan,  Bengal  Artillery,  and  Captain  Sib- 
bald,  were  killed  by  a  cannon-shot,  and  Captain  Hunter  received  a 
second  wound.  ^Major  Skelly  took  command.  The  day  was  verv 
sultry,  and  many  of  the  wounded  were  dying  for  want  of  water. 
Two  loaded  bullocks  were  opportunely  found  in  the  ditch  with 
ammunition.  The  garrison  had  scarcely  secured  this,  when  2,000 
cavalry  were  seen  advancing  to  the  redoubt.  They  halted,  300 
or  400  of  them  dismounted  and  stormed  the  redoubt,  but  they 
were  repulsed  with  heavy  loss  at  1  p.m.  Again,  at  2  p.m.,  the 
redoubt  had  to  sustain  a  third  attack. 

The  troops  that  now  advanced  were  headed  by  Europeans, 
commanded  by  Monsieur  Vigie.  They  advanced  from  the  rocks, 
when,  a  few  being  killed,  they  stopped  short,  got  into  disorder,  and 
went  off.  The  redoubt  was  by  this  time  a  horrid  scene  of  carnage  ; 
two  officers  and  nineteen  men  dead,  and  three  officers  and  twenty- 
two  men  wounded.  About  4  p.m.,  the  enemy's  fire  behind  the 
rocks  slackened,  and  soon  after  they  returned  to  the  island ; 
water  was  then  brought  from  the  ditch  and  pond  near  the 
redoubt  for  the  wounded.  While  the  enemy  was  employed  in 
attempting  to  retake  the  Sultan's  redoubt,  the  troops  on  the 
island  had  remained  undisturbed  ;  but  at  5  p.m.,  two  brigades, 
and  a  body  of  dismounted  troopers  entered  the  pettah,  drove  out 
some  of  our  followers,  and  pursued  them.  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Stuart  sent  1st  Madras  Native  Infantry,  under  Captain  Archi- 
bald Brown,  to  drive  them  back.  Afterwards,  the  71st  moved 
on,  under  Major  Dalrymple,  and  these  two  corps  drove  the 
enemy  before  them.  A  pi'isoner  stated  that  it  was  Tippoo's 
intention  to  attack  in  the  night,  and  that  his  march  was  to 
be  directed  along  the  north  branch,  so  as  to  turn  our  right 
flank.  Colonel  Stuart  made  the  necessary  arrangements  to 
defeat  Tippoo's  intention. 

17 


258  MILITAEY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1792 

Major  Dalrymple,  71st,  and  Captain  Brown's  battalion,  were 
to  hold  the  pettah. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Knox  had  charge  of  the  right  wing  with 
72nd. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Baird,  on  left,  with  six  companies  of  36th, 
and  sepoys. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Stuart,  with  Major  Peche  in  centre,  in 
rear  of  Shalir-Ganjam,  as  a  reserve. 

Cornwallis,  having  been  informed  of  Tippoo's  intentions,  sent 
four  field-pieces  into  the  island,  which  arrived  in  the  course 
of  the  night;  and  Major  Gowdie  with  his  brigade  took  post 
at  the  foot  of  Pagoda  Hill. 

No  attack  was,  however,  made. 

Extract,  Earl  Cornwallis'  order  on  evening  7th  February:  — 
"  Lord  Cornwallis  therefore  requests  that  the  army  in  general 
will  accept  of  his  most  cordial  thanks  for  the  noble  and  gallant 
manner  in  which  they  have  executed  the  plans  of  the  attack.  It 
covers  themselves  with  honour,  and  will  ever  command  his 
warmest  sentiments  of  admiration." 

Tippoo  now  altogether  quitted  the  north  side  of  the  river,  and 
retired  to  Seringapatam.  We  divided  the  island  with  the  enemy. 
The  pettah  of  Shahr-Ganjam,  laid  out  regularly  and  surrounded 
with  a  strong  mud  wall,  afforded  excellent  shelter  within  1,500 
yards  of  the  outworks  of  the  fort.  Plenty  of  forage  was  found 
for  horses  and  cattle,  quantities  of  firewood,  and  considerable 
stores  of  grain.  Tippoo's  garden  (the  Lai  Bagh)  afforded 
materials  for  the  siege.  Our  camp  on  the  north  was  advanced 
near  to  the  bound  hedge,  and  picquets  were  placed  in  the 
redoubts,  thus  completing  a  chain  of  posts  in  connection  in  front 
of  the  north  and  east  faces  of  the  fort,  and  converting  the 
fortified  camp  into  lines  for  the  attack  of  his  capital. 

We  captured  in  this  assault — 

Thirty-six  brass  guns,  2  to  9  pounders. 
Forty-four  iron  guns,  4  to  18  pounders. 


"*2-^                                       MADKAS    ENGINEERS.  259 

Our  loss  was  : — 

Killed.  Wounded.  Missing.     Total. 
European  oflFicers           ...      10  26         —           36 
„          non  -  commis- 
sioned officers  and  men     58  189   4-   20         267 
Native  officers  and  men...     49  161    +    22         232 


Grand  total     ...    117         376    +   42         535 
Officers  killed: — 

Lieutenant  Stuart,  Bengal  Engineers. 

Roberts,  H.M.'s  73rd. 
Ensign  Smith,  H.M.'s  36th. 
Lieutenant  Jones,  H.M,'s  76th. 

,,  Buchan,  Bengal  Artillery. 

Hutchings,  H.M.'s  52nd. 
Captain  Sibbald,  H.M.'s  71st. 
Lieutenant  Bayue. 

Captain  Archdeacon,  14th  Bengal  Native  Infantry. 
,,       Mackenzie,  H.M.'s  72nd. 

Officers  wounded  : — 

Lieutenant  Hemming,  Madras  Engineers. 
Brownrigg     ] 
R.  Campbell  ^H.M.'s  36th. 
,,  J.  Campbell  J 

Captain  Markham 
Lieutenant  Robertson 
Philpot     . 
,,  Shaw 

Lord  Cornwallis. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Malcolm,  Staflf. 
Captain  Ross,  Royal  Artillery. 
„       Hunter 
„       Zouch 
Lieutenant  Irvine        ...  |-H.M.'s  52nd. 
,  Madden     .. 

,,  Rowen 


76  th. 


260  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1792. 


Surgeon's  Mate  Paley  ...     H .M.'s  7 1  st. 

Lieutenant  Farquhar 

Ensign  Hamilton 

Lieutenant  Martin       ...     2nd  Madras  Native  Infantry. 

Major  Fraser 

Hon.  Captain  Maitland 

Lieutenant  Macpherson 

Wan 
Captain  Brown 


74  th. 


-H.M-'s  72nd. 


T  .  XT-     n  [  1st  Madras  Mative  1  man  try. 

Lieutenant  Nicoll         ...)  -^ 

The  loss  of  the  Pioneers  was :  — 

One  sergeant  and  twelve  men  killed  ; 

One  sergeant  and  seven  men  wounded  and  missing. 
Total  casualties,  twenty-three 

Tippoo's  loss  was  4,000  killed  ;  besides  these,  large  numbers 
deserted,  and  fifty-seven  of  his  foreigners  came  over  to  us, 
among  them,  Monsieur  Blevette,  his  chief  engineer. 

On  the  morning  of  the  8th  February,  Tippoo's  infantry  were 
on  the  glacis,  while  his  baggage  and  cavalry  were  on  the  south 
side  of  the  river. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Stuart  was  placed  in  command  of  the 
troops  on  the  island,  consisting  of  three  European  Regiments 
and  seven  battalions  of  sepoys,  besides  artillery. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross  (the  Chief  Engineer),  with  the 
officers  of  his  corps,  took  up  his  station  on  the  island,  where 
a  park  was  formed  for  the  intrenching  tools  and  implements  of 
that  department. 

On  the  11th,  a  corps  of  European  pioneers  was  formed  from 
the  76th,  under  Lieutenant  Macpherson. 

The  following  officers  acted  as  assistant  engineers : — 
Lieutenant  Farquhar,  H.M.'s  74th. 
Abernethie,  H.M.'s  74th. 
Ensign  J.  Campbell,  H.M.'s  76th. 
„      Manoury,  H.M.'s  52nd, 


1792.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  261 

The  latter  officer  had  in  1791  been  left  as  engineer  at 
Bangalore,  after  its  capture. 

Lieutenant  Leuuon  (Madras  Engineers),  with  half  his  corps 
of  pioneers  (200  men),  and  Lieutenant  Hind  (Bengal  Artillery), 
with  300  gun  lascars,  were  employed  under  the  engineers  in 
preparing  material.  The  pioneers  and  lascars  made  gabions, 
while  working  parties  of  100  to  300  Europeans,  and  500  to 
1,000  sepoys  made  fascines  and  pickets. 

Seringapatam  Island  is  four  miles  long  by  one  and  a  half 
broad  at  the  middle,  where  it  is  highest ;  thence  it  falls  and 
narrows  to  both  extremities. 

The  west  end,  where  the  fort  is,  slopes  more  rapidly  than  that 
part  towards  Shahr-Ganjam. 

The  fort  occupied  about  a  mile  at  the  west  end,  and  the  Lai 
Bagh  and  Pettah  about  the  same  distance  at  the  east  end. 
_^The  pettah  of  Shahr-Ganjam  was  about  half  a  mile  square. 
A  little  to  the  east  of  the  pettah  was  the  entrance  to  the  Lai 
Bagh,  which  was  laid  out  in  regular  walks  with  large  cypress 
trees,  and  full  of  fruit-trees,  flowers,  and  vegetables. 

Seringapatam  is  watered  by  a  canal  brought  from  a  consider- 
able distance  up  the  river.  It  passes  over  the  river  by  an 
aqueduct,  opposite  the  south  face  of  the  fort. 

Tippoo  kept  up  a  continued  discharge  of  cannon  from  the 
fort. 

Sensible,  however,  that  he  was  in  a  tix,  he  sent  Lieutenants 
Chalmers  and  Nash  with  letters  to  Lord  Cornwallis  (these 
officers  had  been  taken  at  Coimbatore,  and  detained,  contrary  to 
terms  of  capitulation)  on  the  8th  February. 

On  forenoon  of  the  9th,  Tippoo's  cavalry  marched  along 
south  side  of  river  to  near  Arrikera,  six  miles  below,  crossed  on 
that  evening,  and  by  daybreak  on  the  10th,  got  round  to  the 
rear  of  our  left  wiug,  and  entered  between  our  camp  and  the 
Nizam's.  Thev  were  supposed  to  be  the  Nizam's  cavalry,  and 
acLually  a&kt-d  &ome  camp  followcis   whtre  ihe   commander  was. 


262  MILITAEY   HISTOEY   OF    THE  U792.] 

They  were  shown  Colonel  Duff's  tent  (he  commanded  the 
artillery),  when  they  immediately  drew  their  swords,  and 
galloped  towards  the  tent,  but  a  party  of  Bombay  sepoys  turned 
out  and  dispersed  them. 

On  10th  February,  the  Bombay  army  passed  Periapatam,  and 
next  day  they  crossed  the  Cauvery  at  Yedtarra,  thirty  miles 
above  Seringapatam. 

On  the  14th,  Colonel  Floyd  joined  General  Abercromby 
with  our  cavalry,  4,000  allied  horse,  and  a  battalion  of 
sepoys,  and  they  encamped  at  Caniambady,  ten  miles  above 
Seringapatam. 

Tippoo  had  sent  cavalry  to  attack  ours  on  the  J  4th,  and  they 
made  an  attack  on  the  allied  horse,  but  Colonel  Floyd  returned 
to  their  support,  and  put  the  enemy  to  rout. 

On  the  16th,  the  Bombay  army  joined  Cornwallis. 

By  this  time,  2,000  gabions,  10,000  fascines,  and  20,000 
pickets  having  been  prepared,  everything  was  in  readiness  for 
the  attack. 

It  was  at  first  intended  to  attack  the  east  side  of  the  fort,  to 
make  a  lodgment  in  the  Dowlut  Bagh,  and  run  regular  ap- 
proaches to  the  north-east  angle,  which  was  to  be  subject  to 
enfilade  from  batteries  north  of  the  river. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross  (Chief  Engineer)  had  in  the  mean- 
time been  able  to  reconnoitre  the  north  side  very  closely,  and 
he  judged  it  more  advisable  to  make  principal  attack  across  the 
river  against  the  north  side.  The  curtain  was  evidently  weak, 
there  were  no  outworks,  and  flank  defences  few,  and  of  little 
consequence.  The  ditch  excavated  from  the  rock  was  dry.  The 
stone  glacis  was  broken,  left  incomplete  in  two  places,  including 
several  hundred  yards  of  curtain,  the  walls  might  be  breached 
to  the  bottom,  and  thus  the  ditch  filled  up. 

The  fort  built  on  a  declivity  of  the  island  was  exposed  to  fire 
from  the  north,  while  the  slope  the  island  has  also  to  the  west  end 
exposed  that  part  to  enfilade  from  ground  opposite  south-west  face. 


1792.]  MADEAS   ENGINEEES.  263 

It  seemed  possible,  by  repairing  a  dam,  to  throw  all  the 
water  of  the  north  brancli  into  the  south ;  at  any  rate,  the  river, 
though  rugged,  was  not  deep  or  impassable,  it  gave  security 
against  sallies,  and  there  was  the  certainty  of  carrying  on 
the  approaches  rapidly,  and  breaching  the  place  with  little 
loss. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Stuart  was  instructed  to  strengthen  his 
position  in  the  island  by  additional  works. 

On  8th  February,  a  part  of  the  materials  and  intrenching 
tools  prepared  in  the  island  were  conveyed  to  the  north  side  of 
river. 


General  Orders,  l^th  February, 

"  An  engineers'  park  to  be  established  near  the  bound  hedge, 
in  rear  of  Captain  Browne's  redoubt,  as  the  rendezvous  of  the 
Corps  of  Engineers,  for  the  stores,  &c.  of  that  Department, 
and  for  the  Corps  of  European  and  Native  Pioneers,  who,  being 
placed  under  the  orders  of  the  Chief  Engineer  for  the  period  of 
the  siege,  are  to  be  considered  as  a  distinct  detail  for  working 
service,  and  regulated  accordingly. 

"  The  intrenching  tools  lodged  with  the  Commissary  to  be 
removed  to  the  engineers'  park,  in  charge  of  a  conductor  of 
stores,  who  is  to  remain  there  under  the  direction  of  the  Chief 
Engineer,  regulate  delivery  of  tools  to  working  parties,  and 
see  that  when  no  longer  required  they  are  carefully  returned 
into  stores. 

"  A  detail,  including  a  field  officer  (to  be  relieved  daily),  will 
be  ordered  as  a  guard  for  the  trenches,  to  be  furnished  from 
camp,  or  Bombay  troops.  The  working  parties  for  the  trenches 
will  be  ordered  in  like  manner  ;  and  so  long  as  numerous  details 
are  required  for  working  service,  a  field  officer  will  be  appointed 
to  command  them.  He  is  to  regulate,  in  communication  with 
the  engineers  on  duty,  the  details  of  work,  and  will  frequently 


264  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1792. 

visit   the  different  parties  employed;  but  is  not  to  interfere  in 
command  of  guard  for  the  trenches. 

"  Lieutenant-Colonel  Knox  to  meet  the  Chief  Engineer  at  4 
at  engineers'  park,  and  make  himself  acquainted  with  situation 
of  outposts,  and  receive  from  him  the  Commander-in-Chiefs 
directions,  regarding  the  manner  in  which  the  troops  are  to  be 
employed  and  disposed  of,  for  the  protection  of  working  parties 
during  the  night.  Working  parties  to  march  at  3  p.m.  to  carry 
fascines,  ropes,  pickets,  to  engineers'  park.  Working  parties 
for  trenches  this  evening  to  be  furnished  by  troops  under  Major 
General  Abercromby,  and  march  so  as  to  arrive  at  engineers' 
park  by  sun-set." 

Orders  were  given  to  open  the  trenches  on  19th  February  ; 
at  the  same  time  a  diversion  was  to  be  made  to  beat  up  the 
cavalry  encampment  on  the  south  side  of  the  river. 

Major  Dalrymple,  H.M.'s  7Ist,  commanded.  The  force  con- 
sisted of  71st,  and  13th  Bengal  Sepoys,  under  Captain 
McLeod.  It  was  accompanied  by  Lieutenant  McLeod,  of  the 
Intelligence  Department. 

The  detachment  crossed  the  south  branch  at  8,  and 
making  a  detour  over  rice-fields,  &c.,  reached  enemy's  camp  at 
12;  other  corps  were  ordered  to  the  ford  to  support  the 
detachment  in  its  retreat.  Major  Dalrymple  halted  one  mile 
from  enemy's  camp,  and  sent  forward  Captain  Robertson,  with 
four  companies  71st,  and  four  companies  13th  Bengal.  He 
entered  the  camp  undiscovered,  killed  100  troopers  with  the 
bayonet,  and  200  horses.  He  then  retired  without  the  loss  of  a 
single  man. 

Lieutenant- Colonel  Ross  (the  Chief  Engineer)  and  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Knox  had  in  the  afternoon  visited  the  outposts,  and 
inspected  the  general  situation  of  ground  opposite  north  face. 

The  approaches  were  to  be  connected  with  Sultan's  redoubt, 
but  it  was  determined  to  break  ground  witiiin  breaching  distance 


1792.]  MADEAS    ENGINEEES.  265 

of  the  fort,  and,  having  formed  a  sufficient  parallel,  to  work 
back  to  the  redoubt. 

Ihe  troops  for  working  and  guarding  the  trenches  having 
assembled  at  the  engineers'  park,  marched  down  as  soon  as  it 
was  dark  to  commence  operations. 

Captain  White,  with  Grenadiers  and  company  of  3Gth,  accom- 
panied by  Lieutenant  Colin  Mackenzie,  Madras  Engineers, 
Aide-de-Camp  to  the  Chief  Engineer,  with  a  party  of  pioneers 
carrying  gabions,  for  closing  gorge  of  work  towards  the  fort, 
was  sent  to  dislodge  the  enemy,  and  take  possession  of  redoubt 
to  the  right  of  parallel  near  the  river ;  the  light  infantry  com- 
pany of  36th  under  Captain  Hart,  and  two  companies  sepoys 
were  to  occupy  the  mosque  on  the  left. 

The  Chief  Engineer  having  detailed  the  working  parties  under 
the  different  officers  of  his  corps,  proceeded  to  execute  the  parallel, 
which  he  had  marked  out  the  previous  night.  They  worked 
undiscovered.  By  day-light  the  nullah  was  formed  into  a  wide 
and  exteusive  parallel,  and  a  redoubt  was  constructed  to  cover 
its  left  flank,  the  right  being  protected  by  a  ravine.  The  redoubt 
near  the  river  was  found  untenable. 

Tippoo  next  morning  opened  every  gun  he  could  bring  to 
bear  on  the  parallel  and  the  mosque.  He  also  tried  to  turn  the 
water  off  from  the  large  canal,  but  the  damage  done  was  soon 
repaired  by  a  party  of  pioneers,  and  Captain  Wahab,  with  his 
battalion,  was  stationed  at  the  head  of  the  canal  to  prevent 
repetition  of  the  attempt. 

The  Bombay  army  crossed  the  river  on  the  19th,  ascended 
the  heights  on  the  other  side,  and  took  a  redoubt.  Colonel 
Balfour,  with  1st  brigade  of  the  Bombay  army,  was  left  on  north 
side  of  the  river  to  keep  up  communications,  and  assist  in 
furnishing  details  for  the  trenches. 

Abercromby's  force  on  south  side  consisted  of  three  regiments 
Europeans,  and  six  battalions  sepoys. 

On  ilie    I'.Hli    night,   mnne   improvements  were   made  to    the 


266  MILITARY   HISTOEY    OF    THE  [1792. 

parallel,  and  traverses  were  begun,  which  were  to  connect  it  with 
the  large  redoubt. 

On  the  20th  and  21st,  these  traverses  were  finished,  and  an 
approach  carried  on  to  the  line  fixed  on  for  the  second  parallel, 
which  was  marked  out  on  night  of  21st,  200  yards  in  front, 
within  600  yards  of  the  fort. 

Loss  in  the  trenches,  from  the  night  of  the  18tli  to  the 
morning  of  22nd,  was  only  thirty. 

These  casualties  included  Ensign  J.  L.  Caldwell,  of  the 
Madras  Engineers,  who  was  wounded.  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Stuart  was,  during  this  time  strengthening  his  line  of  defence 
across  the  island  by  reversing  some  of  the  enemy's  redoubts, 
constructing  others,  and  strengthening  breast- works  The  line 
was  defended  by  twenty- three  pieces  of  cannon.  1,200  men 
were  daily  employed  in  making  gabions,  &c.,  and  turned  out 
each  day  100  gabions,  2,000  fascines,  and  3,000  pickets.  All 
the  timber  round  the  Mausoleum,  Palace,  &c.,  was  cut  down, 
Tippoo  cut  down  also  the  trees  in  the  Dowlut  Bagh,  and  was  at 
work  night  and  day  in  strengthening  his  defences.  His  cavalry 
camp  was  removed  to  Mysore. 

Cornwallis  meantime  listened  to  Tippoo's  solicitations  for 
peace,  and  agreed  to  receive  vakeels.  The  vakeels  were  met  by 
Sir  John  Keimaway  and  Mr,  Cherry,  and  had  meetings  on  15th, 
16th,  19th,  and  21st,  but  the  operations  of  the  siege  still  went 
on,     Tippoo,  meantime,  determined  to  attack  the  Bombay  army. 

On  the  night  of  the  21st,  Cornwallis  had  directed  that  pre- 
parations should  be  made  for  commencing  the  enfilading  attack, 
so  Captain  Mackenzie,  of  75th,  was  sent  with  a  party  of  eighty 
men  to  take  post  in  redoubt  a  mile  in  front  of  the  Bombay 
army,  and  to  take  possession  of  tope  in  its  front  next  morning. 
The  tope  was  found  in  possession  of  the  enemy,  but  they  were 
driven  out. 

At  8  P.M.  the  enemy  attacked  the  tope  in  force.  Keinforce- 
meuts  were   sent— two  companies  Bombay  Europeans,  and  nine 


1792.]  MADEAS    ENGINEEES.  267 

companies  10th  battalion  Sepoys,  under  Captains  Macdonald  and 
Cameron.  Possession  of  the  tope  was  hotly  disputed,  but, 
ammunition  having  been  expended,  we  had  to  retire.  The 
enemy  attempted  a  charge  ;  but  the  English  faced  about,  and, 
charging  them  with  the  bayonet,  drove  them  through  the  tope 
and  pursued  them. 

The  enemy  again  advanced,  and  the  English,  having  no 
ammunition,  were  obliged  to  fall  back.  While  retiring,  they 
were  met  by  12th  Sepoys  with  a  supply  of  cartridges.  The 
English  again  advanced  to  the  tope,  when  the  contest  was 
resumed,  and  maintained  well  on  both  sides. 

Abercromby  sent  down  Major  Stirling  with  the  remainder  of 
the  Europeans,  and  2nd  battalion  Sepoys.  They  formed  to  right 
and  left,  while  Captain  Hawkes'  artillery  in  front  of  village 
directed  his  guns  to  check  a  body  of  horse  that  threatened  the 
right  flank.  At  4  p.m.  enemy  slackened  their  fire,  and  by 
sunset  withdrew  into  the  fort. 

This  action  lasted  the  whole  day. 

Abercromby,  expecting  an  attack  from  Cummer-u-Din  in  the 
rear,  had  formed  the  rest  of  his  troops  on  the  heights,  and  so  had 
not  been  able  to  reinforce  the  tope  freely. 

Loss  on  our  side  was  fifty-one  Europeans  and  fifty-three 
sepoys  killed  and  wounded,  including  five  officers  wounded. 

Enemy's  loss  considerable,  as  their  number  was  greater. 

During  nights  of  22nd  and  23rd,  the  second  parallel  was 
completed,  and  ground  fixed  upon  for  breaching  batteries  in  very 
good  situations,  500  yards  from  the  fort,  and  opposite  two  breaks 
in  the  glacis.  The  batteries  were  marked  out  on  23rd.  Captain 
Montresor  was  sent  with  three  companies  of  Europeans,  and 
seven  companies  of  sepoys  to  take  possession  of  a  small  island 
in  the  river  1,500  yards  from  north-west  angle,  and  to  construct 
a  redoubt. 

Major  Sartorius,  Bombay  Engineers;  the  Chief  Engineer  of 
the   Bombay  army,  had   prepared   material  on   south   side  ;   had 


268  MILITAKY   HISTOEY    OF    THE 


[1792. 


thrown  up  a  work  in  front  of  the  tope,  and  the  next  evening  a 
lodgment  was  to  be  made  in  a  ravine  further  advanced;  beyond 
which  the  enfilading  battery  was  to  be  erected.  The  two 
breaching  batteries,  one  of  twenty,  the  other  of  twelve  guns,  and 
the  enfilading  battery,  would  have  been  ready  to  open  on 
1st  March.  These,  with  the  cross  fire  from  the  island  and 
Sibbald's  redoubt,  together  with  the  mortars  and  howitzers 
belonging  to  the  train,  would  have  brought  a  fire  of  fifty  heavy 
pieces  against  the  place.  Furnaces  for  heating  shot  had  also 
been  built.  The  Chief  Engineer  was  prepared  to  carry  the 
approaches  across  the  river,  and  if  the  siege  should  come  to  the 
last  extremity,  the  storm  was  to  be  led  by  General  Aledows. 

The  Mahratta  army  of  20,000  horse,  several  thousand  infantry 
and  thirty  cannon,  and  a  brigade  of  sepoys  under  Captain 
Little,  were  daily  expected.  Major  Cuppage,  from  Coimbatore, 
with  400  Europeans  and  three  battalions  of  sepoys  with  field 
artillery,  having  taken  Danaikencottah  and  Sattiamungalum,  had 
ascended  the  Guzzlehutty  pass.  Upon  advancing,  Mysore  could 
be  reduced,  and  the  country  would  be  in  our  complete  possession. 

Large  supplies  had  been  collected,  and  were  ready  to  be  brought 
up  the  Guzzlehutty  pass.  Supplies  were  also  coming  from  the 
Malabar  coast.  Cornwallis  had  Brinjarries  engaged  in  his 
service  with  70,000  grain  bullocks.  Two  large  convoys  had 
arrived  from  Bangalore,  and  others  were  coming  forward.  The 
Sultan,  having  no  army  that  could  keep  the  field,  must  soon  have 
been  reduced  to  distress;  but  on  the  morning  of  Sith  February 
orders  were  sent  to  the  trenches  to  cease  working,  and  forbear 
further  hostilities.  The  soldiers  could  with  difficulty  be 
restrained  from  continuing  their  work. 

Two  sons  of  Tippoo  entered  camp  as  hostages  on  the  25th,  and 
the  treaty  of  peace  was  finally  signed  on  19th  March  1792. 

One  half  of  Tippoo's  dominions  was  to  be  ceded  to  the  allies, 
and  three  crores*  and  thirty  lacs  of  rupees  to  be  paid  either  in 

*  A  crore  of  rupees=one  million  sterling. 


1792.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  269 

gold  mohurs  or  bullion,  half  to  be  paid  immediately,  and  the 
other  half  in  three  instalments,  not  exceeding  four  months  each. 
All  prisoners  to  be  restored.  A  part  of  the  territory  claimed  by 
Cornwallis  was  C'oorg,  to  which  he  attached  great  importance, 
as  the  Coorgs  had  been  very  friendly  to  us,  and  Cornwallis 
knew  that  if  he  left  Coorg  to  Tippoo,  he  would  revenge  himself 
on  the  Coorgs  in  a  frightful  manner.  When  Tippoo  learnt  this 
he  was  furious,  and  seemed  as  if  he  would  risk  everything  and 
defy  Cornwallis.  Cornwallis,  however,  promptly  ordered  the 
guns  back  into  the  batteries,  and  the  works  to  be  carrie'd 
forward  with  vigour. 

Tippoo,  seeing  there  was  no  help  for  it,  signed  the  articles  of 
peace. 

The  allied  armies  above  the  ghauts  about  this  time  were: — 

Europeans.  Native.  Guns. 

British  main  army   ...      7,434  ...  20,658  ...  158 

Bombay  army           ...     3,145  ...  4,659  ...  36 

Guzzlehutty  pass    ...         400  ...  2,300  ...  6 


10,979      ., 

..      27,617      . 

..     200 

Purseram  Bow's  army 

with  Captain  Little's 

Detachment 

118      .. 

.      17,293      .. 

30 

Hurry  Punt's 

—      .. 

8,000      ., 

20 

Nizam's,        including 

Madras  Detachment 

96      . 

.      14,010      ., 

4 

Travancore  troops    ... 

—     .. 

1,700      ., 

— 

Coorg  troops 

— 

,.        4,000      ., 

— 

Grand  total 

11 

,193      . 

..      72,620      . 

..      254 

Tippoo's  army   was    1H,000  cavalry,  50,000  regular  infantry, 
with  field  artillery,  and  100,000  irregular  infantry, 


270 


MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE 


[1799. 


The   only  forts    of  consequence   that  remained  in  Tip  poo's 
hands  after  the  war  were  : — 

Seringapatam.  Mangalore  or  Jemalghur. 

Chittledroog.  Kistnagherry. 

Bednore.  Sunkerrydroog. 

The  prize  money  for  the  troops  was: —  £. 

Campaign,  1790 19,804 

Second  Campaign  to  31st  July  1791     ...      52,618 
Third  Campaign  to  24th  February  1792     21,162 


Total 93,584 

This  money  was  shared 

as  follows : — 

Rs. 

Rs. 

Colonel     .. 

1,162 

Sergeant... 

.      29 

Lieutenant-Colonel 

968 

Private     ... 

I.-' 

Major 

734 

Subadar  ... 

2H 

Captain   ... 

308 

Jemadar  ... 

14 

Lieutenant 

206 

Havildar... 

12 

Ensign     ... 

155 

Native  Private     .. 

6 

The  engineers  employed  in  last  campaign  were: — 
Lieutenant- Colonel  Ross,  Chief  Engineer. 
Lieutenant  Hemming,  wounded. 
„  Norris. 

„  Russell,  Adjutant  of  Engineers,  vice  Cree. 

„  Lennon,  Commandant,  Corps  of  Pioneers. 

„  Mackenzie,  Aide-de-Camp  to  Chief  Engineer. 

„  Johnstone. 

Ensign  Wood. 
„       Caldwell. 
„       Pyefinch. 
,,       Pittman. 
„       Farquhar. 
Besides  these  there  were  six  Bengal  engineers. 
Captain  Alexander  Kyd. 
Lieutenant  Patrick  Stuart,  killed. 
Ensign  Joseph  Stokoe. 
Other  three  names  unknown. 


1792.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  271 

With  the  Bombay  army  there  were  six  Bombay  Engineers. 
Major  Sartorius. 

Captain  William  Henry  Blachford. 
Ensign  John  Johnson. 
Other  three  names  unknown. 

At  the  time  the  Grand  Army  was  at  Singanellore,  Tiieutenant 
George  Johnstone,  of  Engineers,  was  ordered  into  Coimbatore 
to  take  charge  of  the  works. 

On  23rd  February  he  was  at  Sattimungalum. 
When  the  army  was  broken  up,  two  engineer  officers  were  sent 
to  survey  the  forts,  &c.,  recently  acquired,  and  to  furnish  plans 
and  reports  of  the  state  of  the  works. 
Lieutenant  Norris  to  the  Baramahl. 

„         Johnstone  to  Sunkerrydroog  and  Salem. 
„         Russell  was  ordered  to  Poonamallee,  and 
Ensigns  Wood,  Caldwell,  Pyefinch,  Pittman,  and  Farquhar 
to  the  Presidency.* 
It  may  here  be  mentioned  that  the  Government,  as  a  mark   of 
their  approval  of  the  conduct  of  Lieutenants  Chalmers  and  Nash 
at  Coimbatore,  gave — 

Lieutenant  Clialmers  2,000  pagodas. 
Nash  oOO 

On  19th  June,  it  was  resolved  to  send  a  detachment  into 
Tinnevelly  to  punish  the  Poligar  of  Shivagherry,  who  had  lately 
attacked  the  Poligar  of  Satur,  and  put  him  and  his  family  to  death. 

The  pioneers,  under  Lieutenant  Dowse,  were  sent  from 
Trichinopoly  to  Madura  to  join  the  detachment. 

By  August,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Maxwell,  who  was  in 
command  of  the  detachment,  attacked  Shivagherry,  and  reduced 
the  country  to  submission. 

Towards  the  close  of  1792,  Colonel  John  Braithwaite,  who 
was  commanding  the  Coast  Army,  proposed  a  plan  for  a  pioneer 
establishment. 

*  Captain  Eissleback  died  at  Yizagapatam,  24th  May  1792. 


272 


MILITAEY   HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1792. 


There  were  to  be  three  bodies — one  for  each  division. 

Each  body  to  consist  of  two  companies,  with  one  European 
officer  to  each  company. 

The  strength  of  each  company  was  to  be  one  sergeant,  one 
jemadar,  six  havildars,  six  naiques,  122  privates,  two  bbeesties, 
and  twelve  artificers — total  150  men. 

The  total  expense  of  the  present  corps  was  : — 


9  lieutenants   . 

.   at 

82 

0 

0 

= 

164 

0 

0 

5  sergeants 

.   at 

12 

17 

20 

= 

62 

2 

20 

20  havildars 

.    at 

4 

24 

0 

= 

91 

18 

0 

20  naiques 

.   at 

3 

24 

0 

= 

71 

18 

0 

6  privates 

.   at 

4 

26 

32 

= 

27 

32 

32 

450  pioneers 

.   at 

3 

3 

0 

= 

1,382 

6 

0 

1   conicopillay 

.. 

•  •  • 

10 

0 

0 

1   second  conicopillay 

.. 

•  •• 

6 

0 

0 

Total  expense  of  proposed  corps 


3  lieutenants. 

3  ensigns 

6  sergeants     . 

6  jemadars     . 

36  havildars    . 

36  naiques 

732  pioneers 

3  conicopillays 


Pagodas   1,814  34   52 


p.  F.  C. 

246  0  0 

185  10  40 

55  21  0 

54  36  0 

146  33  60 

132  2  20 

2,248  12  0 

30  0  0 


Pagodas  3,098  31   40* 


*  80  ca8h=l  fanam. 
42  fanains=l  pagoda, 
1  pagoda^S^  rupees, 


1793.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  273 

It  was  in  July  1793,  just  before  the  siege  of  Pondicherry,  that 
the  Pioneer  Corps  was  ordered  to  be  increased,  but  the  esta- 
blishment was  somewhat  different  to  that  recommended  by 
General  Braithwaite. 

There  were  to  be  one  lieutenant  commandant,  three  lieutenants, 
one  assistant  surveyor,  and  six  companies — allowing  an  officer 
to  two  companies. 

Each  company  to  consist  of — 

One  sergeant,  one  jemadar,  three  havildars,  three  naigues, 
and  100  men;  total,  108. 
Altogether,  648  men,  with  five  oflBcers. 


18 


274  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1793 


CHAPTER  X. 

France  declares  War  against  England  and  Holland. — Colonel  Braithwaite  takes 
command  of  army  before  Pondicherry. — Siege  of  Pondicherry. — Maule  killed, 
and  Captain  Trapaud  becomes  Chief  Engineer  at  Siege. — Pondicherry  sur- 
renders.— Pioneers  level  the  batteries,  &c. — Mr.  Topping  and  Captain  George 
Johnstone.  —  Expedition  against  Malacca.  —  Amboyna,  Bauda  Neira,  and 
other  spice  islands  taken. — Capture  of  Columbo. — Proposed  siege  of  ^Manilla. 
— Colin  Mackenzie  recommended  for  Surveyor-General. — Mackenzie  joins 
Colonel  Roberts'  detachment  near  Hydrabad. — Major-General  Ross  brings 
to  notice  inadequate  strength  of  the  Engineer  Corps. — Employment  of 
Pioneers  previous  to  campaign  against  Tippoo. — Constitution  of  the  Corps 
of  Engineers  at  Madras. — A  corps  of  Militia  embodied  in  Madras,  December 
1798. 

France  declared  war  against  England  and  Holland  on  1st 
February  1793,  but  it  was  not  till  June  that  despatches  were 
received  in  India  announcing  the  fact. 

The  Government  of  Madras  immediately  commenced  prepara- 
tions for  the  siege  of  Pondicheny,  where  Colonel  Floyd,*  with 
a  large  detachment,  arrived  on  llth  July  to  blockade  it  on  the 
land  side,  while  the  Commodore,  with  H.M.'s  frigate  Minerva, 
and  three  of  the  Company  s  ships  Tnrton,  Warlej/,  and  Roi/al 
Charlotte,  blockaded  it  by  sea. 

Colonel  Braithwaite  recommended  that  "  all  the  engineers  on 
the   establishment,    except    one    captain    and    one    subaltern    in 

*  Captain  Allen,  of  the  Guides,  was  under  the  orders  of  Colonel  Floyd. 


1793.-  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  275 

Baramabl  and   Salem,   should    be  ordered    to    assemble  for  the 
siege." 

"  Those  from  the  north  and  centre  to  proceed  to  the  Presi- 
dency, and  those  to  the  south  of  Coleroon  to  Cuddalore  ;  also 
that  '  very  useful '  pioneer  corps  should  be  augmented  by  loO 
men,  i.e.,  brought  up  to  a  strength  of  600  men." 

The  army  for  the  siege  consisted  (exclusive  of  the  Engineer 
Department,  artillery,  and  cavalry)  of  two  wings,  each  wing 
three  brigades,  and  each  brigade  one  European  and  two  Native 
regiments.  So  that  altogether  there  were  six  European  and 
twelve  Native  regiments. 

liieutenant  Dowse  commanded  the  pioneers,  and  Lieutenants 
Grose  and  Charles  Armstrong  were  appointed  to  complete  the 
establishment. 

Two  parties  of  European  pioneers  were  formed  from  the 
Honourable  Company's  1st  battalion  of  Europeans ;  each  party 
to  consist  of  one  subaltern,  two  sergeants,  two  corporals,  and 
thirty  men. 

The  officers  commanding  these  parties  were  to  be  junior  to 
Lieutenant  Dowse. 

On  21st  Julv,  Colonel  Braithwaite  was  ordered  to  take  com- 
mand of  the  army  before  Pondicherry,  and  summon  the  Governor 
at  once.  He  joined  the  army  on  the  28th,  and  next  dav  selected 
new  ground  for  encampment  nearer  the  fort. 

On  the  30th,  he  received  news  that  Lieutenant-Colonel  Geils, 
with  the  artillery  train,  was  only  nine  miles  in  his  rear  ;  so  the 
army  moved  forward  to  occupy  the  ground  selected  for  the 
encampment  during  the  siege. 

On  the  31st,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Geils  joined  the  army,  posts 
nortli  and  south  of  the  fort  were  occupied,  and  a  spot  to  the 
north  of  Pondicherry,  distinguished  by  a  white  flag  with  a  red 
cross,  selected  for  the  Engineers'  park,  &c.  With  the  exception 
of  Major  Gent  (who  was  suffering  from  an  affection  of  the  eyes), 
two  officers  employed  in  Baramahl  and  Salem,  and  IJeutenant 

18   * 


276  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  nTO?. 

Caldwell,  who  was  employed  under  Mr,  Topping  in  surveying 
the  Kistna  and  Godavery,  all  the  Madras  Engineers  were  present 
at  the  siege. 

Lieutenant- Colonel  Maule  was  Chief  Engineer, 
Lieutenant  Thomas  Wood  his  Aide-de-Camp,  and 
Ensign  Farqubar,  Adjutant  of  Engineers. 

In  March  1793,  Colonel  Ross  had  returned  to  Europe  on 
account  of  his  health. 

In  addition  to  the  Madras  Engineers,  six  other  officers  were 
appointed  assistant  engineers  : — 

Lieutenant  James  Farquhar,  H.M.'s  74th. 

„  B.  Ralph,  H.M.'s  73rd. 

„  F.  Marriott,  6th  Native  Battalion. 

„  J.  J.  Darand,  19th  „ 

Second  Lieutenant,  W.  Nicholas,  Royal  Artillery. 
„  G.  Hayter  „ 

On  2nd  August,  the  Governor  was  summoned.  He  replied 
that  he  would  defend  the  place  to  the  utmost.  During  the 
ensuing  week  the  engineers  were  engaged  in  preparing  materials 
for  the  siege.  On  the  10th,  a  large  battery  to  enfilade  the  north 
face  of  the  fort  was  commenced.  The  enemy  kept  up  a  warm  fire 
on  the  new  work.  It  was  not  till  the  night  of  the  12th,  that  the 
engineers  broke  ground,  towards  the  north  face,  and  approaches 
were  carried  on  upwards  of  900  yards  in  length,  without  any  loss 
on  our  side,  owing  to  the  enemy's  fire  being  directed  on  the  en- 
filading battery,  which  had  eight  guns  and  two  mortars.  The 
soil  was  a  very  stiff  clay,  and  as  a  good  deal  of  rain  had  fallen, 
the  progress  was  slower  than  had  been  expected. 

By  the  1 5th,  the  approaches  were  nearly  completed.  On  that 
day  Lieutenant-Colonel  Maule,  Chief  Engineer,  was  killed  by  a 
cannon-shot  between  8  and  9  p.m.  His  loss  was  much  lamented 
bv  the  General,  especially  as  "Major  Gent  was  unable  to  take 


REFERENCES. 


n 


FORTIFICATION  WORKS. 

1.  St.  Laurent's  Bastion. 

41.  Battery     of     the     North 

2,  Bastion  ot  the  SmaU  Bat- 

Estacade. 

42.  Small  Half-Moon   m  tbe 

8.  Cnddalore  Bastion. 

Nortb. 

4.  Hospital  Bastion. 

5.  Queen's  Bastion. 

6.  Bastion  ot 'ViJIenoiir's. 

7.  Dupleix's  Bastion. 

DUjwtili-n    iif    thf   Camp   and 
Attnrta. 

H.  Taldaor's  Bastion. 

11,  Grenadiers,  commanded  by 

9.  Dolfin  Bastion. 

Major  Petrie. 

10.  King  8  Bastion. 

h.  1st    Brigade     Europeans. 

U.  Bastion  of  Madras. 

commanded    by    Lieut. - 

K  Bastion  of  Anjon. 

Colonel  Nisbet. 

IS.  Bastion  of  Orleans. 

<•-  Goneral  Salnte  BatUrv. 

U.  St.  Lonis's  Bastion. 

15.  Half.Moon  of  Orleans. 

It.  Half-Moon  ot  Madras. 

Belcliffe. 

17.  King's  Half-Moon. 

18.  VJlenonr's  HattMoou. 

Colonel  Bent. 

19.  Qoesn's  Half.Moon. 

f.  2nd  Brigade  of  Enropeana. 

commanded    by    Lieut. - 

81.  l-nddalore  Hall-Moon. 

82.  CnadJore  Gale. 

.'/.  ■Itb    Brigade    of    Sepoys, 
commanded    by   Lieut.- 
Colonel  Campbell. 

a.  ViUtnou,  Gate. 

M.  Tald»nr  Gate. 
25.  Madras  Gate. 

«.  Sea  O.ie. 

!«.  Water  Gate. 

29.  Poslem  in   the  Hospital 

Colonel  Cuppage. 

(.  Picqoet  of  Infantry. 

k.  Two  Companies  of  Emo- 

».  Postern    in    the    King's 
Coorline   made    in    the 

"'.  Engineei-s'  Pioneers. 

»1.  Snice.' 

82.  Slaitc-Bridge  on  the  Fore- 
Ditch. 

2'  y"'',?"*"  "■  ""8  Sieee. 
«t.  Sooth  Eslacade. 

J- S««l.E.t«mde  Battery. 
»•  Small  Half.Moon  in  the 

".  TrencbfK. 
p.  Battery. 
7-  Mortar  Battery. 

r.  Gim.  West  Battery. 

«-  Projected  Works  to  come 

np  to  tlie  Glacie. 
t.  Picqiiet  ofCavalj)-. 
u.  Corps  of  Cavalry  at  Arian- 

«•  Boy.1  Battery. 
*>•  School  Battel 

f.  Eiijjljsli  Entrenchments  in 
Fontbeil-B  Gardens. 

.i".  Corp-i  of  Cavalry  on  tlie 
Red  Hills. 

1793.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  277 

the  field,  owing  to  a  very  violent  disorder  in  his  eyes."  By 
Mania's  death  Captain  Trapaud  became  Cliief  Engineer. 

Owing  to  heavy  rain,  the  progress  was  still  very  slow  ;  and  it 
was  not  till  the  20th,  about  noon,  that  the  enfilading  battery  of 
eight  12-pounders,  and  two  8-inch  mortars  opened  fire.  The 
enemy's  fire  for  some  days  had  been  heavy  and  well  directed ; 
but  in  half-an-hour  after  the  battery  opened,  it  became  ill- 
directed,  and  slackened.  On  the  23rd,  a  battery,  called  the 
Eoyal  battery,  opened,  on  face  to  be  attacked,  with  fourteen 
24-pounders.  It  was  within  600  yards  of  the  fort.  The  enemy 
fired  on  it  for  a  short  time,  but  then  began  to  withdraw  some 
of  their  guns,  and  afterwards  masked  many  of  their  embrasures. 
The  same  day  we  opened  a  mortar  battery  of  four  10-inch 
mortars,  so  that  there  were  now  twenty-two  guns,  and  six  mortars 
beanng  hard  on  the  face  attacked. 

On  the  evening  of  the  23rd,  the  French  offered  to  capitulate. 
This  was  refused,  and  surrender  at  discretion  demanded.  The 
deputation  from  the  fort  implored  the  General  to  relent,  and  he 
dictated  a  few  articles  as  final. 

The  deputation  left  at  3  a.m.  on  the  24th,  and  at  8  a.m.  the 
articles  were  returned  agreed  to  by  the  Governor,  Monsieur 
Chermont;  and  the  British  colours  were  hoisted  on  the  fort. 

The  French  troops  menaced  their  own  officers,  and  Colonel 
Braithwaite  was  asked  to  push  forward  our  troops  at  once,  which 
was  done  without  delay. 

The  prisoners  were  secured  in  the  church  at  Ariancopang, 
mostly  drunk,  but  without  arms. 

The  pioneers  were  now  employed  in  destroying  the  batteries, 
and  filling  up  the  approaches. 

Captain  Trapaud  was  left  at  Pondicherry  as  engineer  in  charge, 
under  the  orders  of  Colonel  Floyd,  who  was  appointed  com- 
mandant.    Colonel  Braithwaite  thus  writes  of  Trapaud  : — 

"  Captain  Trapaud  expresses  himself  desirous  of  remaining, 
and  certainly  he  has   the  fairest  claim  ;   and  I   have  pleasure  in 


278  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1793. 

saying  that  I  have  much  reason  to  be  satisfied  with  his  exertions 
since  the  death  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Maule  threw  the  charge  of 
the  department  on  him." 

Our  losses  during  the  siege  were  six  officers  killed,  including 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Maule. 

1  captain,  3  lieutenants,  and  1  ensign. 

2  lieutenants  were  wounded. 
30  Europeans  killed. 

48  „  wounded. 

1    missing. 

88  total  Europeans  killed  and  wounded. 

1  jemadar,  and  92  men  killed. 

2  ,,      and  146     „    wounded. 

5     „     missing. 

247  Natives  killed,  wounded,  and  missing. 
Grand  total,  335. 

Of  these  the  Pioneers  lost — 

4  Europeans  killed. 

5  Natives  „ 

1  jemadar,   I  havildar,  and  11  privates  wounded. 
Total,  22  ;  about  one-fifteenth  of  total  loss. 

One  hundred  and  sixty-eight  guns  were  taken  in  Pondicherry. 

Had  it  not  been  for  the  disgraceful  conduct  of  the  French 
soldiery,  the  siege  would  most  probably  have  been  a  serious  one ; 
but  the  licentiousness  and  insubordination  of  the  soldiers  of  the 
garrison  forced  the  Governor  of  Pondicherry  to  surrender  after  a 
fire  of  only  a  few  hours  from  our  batteries,  and  before  the  works 
had  sufiered  any  great  damage. 

By  2nd  September,  the  pioneers  had  levelled  the  trenches  and 
batteries,  and  detachments  were  sent  thence  to  the  Baramahl. 
After  the  siege.  Lord  Cornwallis  visited  the  fort,  and  returned  to 
Madras  at  the  end  of  September      He  thought  the   fort  should 


1793.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  279 

be  destroyed,  and  the  pioneers  under  Lieutenant  Dowse*  were 
employed  on  this  work.  On  1 5th  June  1794,  in  about  eight 
months,  Lieutenant  Dowse  reported  the  complete  demolition  of 
Pondicherry,  ditch  filled  in,  and  ramparts  levelled,  "  so  that  a 
body  of  horse  might  charge  into  the  place." 

The  Chief  Engineer  sent  in  a  plan  of  Pondicherry,  with  the 
attack  and  encampment. 

During  the  years  1791-93.  the  corps  of  Engineers  had  a  large 
number  of  casualties. 

Major  Banks  retired  on  Lord  Olive's  pension  early  in  1791, 

owing  to  his  health. 
Lieutenant  Ryland  died  in  June  1791. 
Ensign  Cree,  killed  at  Ryacottah,  July  1791. 
Lieutenant  Kisselback,  died  May  1792. 

„  Jennings,  died  4th  June  1792. 

Captain  Ogg,  died  December  J  792. 
Lieutenant  Russell,  died  3rd  May  1793. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Maule,  killed  at  Pondicherry,  15th  August 

1793. 
Lieutenant  Pyefinch,  died  8th  September  1793,  and 
Captain  Prescott,  was  at  home  on  half-pay  on  account  of  his 

health. 

Besides  these,  the  following  got  leave  with  reference  to  the 
bad  state  of  their  health  : — 

Lieutenant  Forrest  and  Captain  Lennon ;  and  early  in  1793 
Colonel  Ross,  the  Chief  Engineer,  was  also  permitted  to  go 
home. 

The  services  of  the  Engineers  during  these  years  seem  to 
have  been  very  trying.  It  must  be  remembered  that  the  whole 
corps  at  this  time  consisted  of  no  more  than  twenty-four  officers. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Gent  now  became  Chief  Engineer. 


*  Lieutenant  Dowse  employed  70  Maistries  and  3,000  coolies  in  destroying  th« 
fortiflcationH 


280  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1793-95. 

In  August  1793,  three  Engineer  officers  of  the  Bengal  Establish- 
ment were  ordered  to  Madras  on  public  service. 

Lieutenant  Robertson,  Bengal  Engineers, 
Ensign  Anbury  „ 

Cadet  Robertson, 

on  account,  it  is  presumed,  of  the  great  mortality  in  the  Madras 
Engineers. 

In  the  year  1794,  no  military  service  of  any  consequence  took 
place,  but  the  pioneers,  under  Lieutenant  Dowse,  after  the  demo- 
lition of  Pondicherry,  marched  into  the  Baramahl  to  demolish 
several  forts  lately  ceded  to  the  British  by  Tippoo. 

At  this  time  Mr.  Michael  Topping  (who  came  out  as  an 
astronomer)  was  engaged  in  the  northern  districts,  and 
Lieutenant  Caldwell  was  placed  under  his  orders. 

Captain  George  Johnstone  was  the  engineer  of  that  part,  and 
he  appears  to  have  interfered  with  Mr,  Topping  considerably. 
On  l4th  July,  Mr.  Topping  complains  of  his  conduct  in  regard 
to  Lieutenant  Caldwell.  Six  weeks  afterwards,  he  again  com- 
plains that  Captain  Johnstone  had  interfered  twice  by  removing 
a  shed  in  which  a  boat  was  being  built  for  him  (Mr.  Topping), 
and  publicly  menaced  to  imprison  Mr.  Topping  in  the  main 
guard.  Lieutenant  Caldwell  became  uncertain  whom  to  attend 
to.  Captain  Johnstone  sent  in  a  reply  to  the  complaints,  but 
was  told  that  he  would  be  removed  if  he  did  not  give  every 
assistance  in  his  power  to  Mr.  Topping. 

At  the  close  of  the  year.  Captain  Hemming*  of  Engineers 
(Invalid  Establishment)  got  sick  leave  to  the  Cape.  It  will  be 
remembered  he  was  wounded  in  the  attack  on  Tippoo's  fortified 
camp  in  February  1792, 

Early  in  1795,  it  was  intended  to  have  sent  an  expedition 
against  Mauritius  and  Bourbon  ;  and,  with  this  view,  a  Monsieur 
Grand  Pre,  n  French  officer  of  talent  and  much  local  knowledge, 

*  iQTalided  '6rd  September  1793. 


1795.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  281 

was  sent  out  from  England  to  assist  with  his  advice.  The 
expedition  was,  however,  abandoned,  and  it  was  determined  to 
confine  our  attention  to  the  reduction  of  the  Dutch  Settlements 
in  Ceylon,  and  to  the  eastward. 

In  July  1795,*  an  expedition  sailed  from  Madras  with  Admiral 
Rainier's  squadron  for  Ceylon. 

The  Suffolk        74 

„    Centurion    ...  ...     50 

„    Diomede        ..  ...     44 

"  The  Diomede  struck  upon  a  hidden  rock,  and  went  down  so 
suddenly  that  it  was  not  without  great  difficulty  her  crew  were 
saved." 

Colonel  James  Stuart  commanded. 

The  engineers  with  the  expedition  were : — 
Captain  Norris,  Madras  Engineers, 
Lieutenant  Mackenzie. 
Cleghorne. 
De  Havilland. 
Cotgrave. 
Torriano. 

Hayter,     Royal     Artillery,     as     Acting 
Engineer. 

Two  companies  of  Pioneers  accompanied  the  force. 

Trincomalee,  armed  with  nearly  1 00  heavy  guns,  was  besieged 
for  three  weeks,  and  capitulated  after  a  slight  resistance,  as 
preparations  were  being  made  to  carry  it  by  storm.  Our  loss 
was  only  sixteen  killed,  and  sixty  wounded. 

In  September,  Jaffnapatam  capitulated  also.  The  town  and 
fort  stand  at  some  distance  from  the  main  ocean,  but  there  is  a 
communication  by  means  of  an  inlet  navigable  for  boats.  It  is 
200  miles  north  by  east  from  Colombo. 

*  3rd  July  1795,  Ensign  Doveton  died. 


282  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1796. 


Shortly  after  this,  the  force  was  joined  hy  two  more  companies 
of  Pioneers  from  the  Baramahl. 

The  force  against  Malacca  was  under  the  command  of  Major 
Archibald  Brown.  One  company  of  the  Pioneers  under  Lieu- 
tenant Heitland,  sailed  with  this  force;  while  Lieutenant  Farquhar, 
Madras  Engineers,  was  chief  engineer. 

The  fort  at  Malacca  surrendered  on  the  18th  August. 
On  6th  January  17U6,  Lieutenant  Heitland  with  half  his 
company  sailed  for  Amboyna  with  Admiral  Rainier's  squadron, 
as  part  of  a  Madras  detachment  under  Major  Vigors.  The 
remaining  half  of  the  company  was  left  in  garrison  at  Malacca. 
Amboyna  was  taken  in  February,  and  the  squadron  then  sailed 
for  Banda  Neira,  and  the  other  Spice  islands,  which  were  taken 
without  opposition. 

Captain  Lennon,  of  Engineers,  was  appointed  secretary  and 
engineer  to  this  expedition,  concerning  which  he  wrote  an 
account,  and  presented  it  to  the  Honourable  East  India  Com- 
pany. 

Two  companies  of  the  Pioneers  remained  in  the  Spice  islands 
until  the  peace  with  the  Dutch  in  1802, 

Colonel  Stuart's  forces  were  directed  to  capture  Columbo,  &c. 
Troops  for  the  expedition  against  Columbo  assembled  at  Eami- 
seram  in  January  1796.  About  the  lOth,  they  left  in  large  open 
boats.  Crossing  below  Adam's  Bridge,  tliey  coasted  along  by 
Arepoo,  Calpentyn,  the  rendezvous  being  at  Negumbo,  thirty 
miles  north  of  Columbo.  A  landing  was  effected,  and  the  works 
at  Negumbo  abandoned  by  the  enemy. 

Lieutenant  Colin  Mackenzie  had  previously  been  ordered  to 
collect  materials  for  the  siege  on  the  coast.  All  fascines  and 
gabions  we  had  made,  under  the  idea  that  we  were  not  likely 
to  find  materials  in  the  best  wooded  country  in  the  world  !  were 
afterwards  served  out  at  Columbo  as  firewood. 

The  army  marched  from  Negumbo  to  within  four  miles  of 
Columbo   without  meeting   any   opposition.     At  daylight,  10th 


1797.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  283 

February,  they  crossed  the  great  ferry  called  Grand  Pass,  and 
formed  on  the  other  side,  when  fire  was  opened  on  them  from 
800  to  1,000  Malays,  with  some  Dutch  troops.  They  soon, 
however,  took  to  flight,  and  we  entered  the  Pettah  about  2  p.m. 
next  day. 

The  army  then  took  up  a  position  about  a  mile  from  the  fort, 
with  the  Pettah  between  it  and  the  fort.  Our  right  flank  was 
close  to  the  sea,  and  the  left  to  the  nullah  running  from  the 
river  Malware,  near  the  great  pass,  to  the  lake  on  the  south- 
west 

Our  loss  was  only  three  men  killed,  and  two  officers  and  eight 
men  wounded. 

The  fleet  anchored  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Malware  on  the 
13tb. 

The  General  of  the  King  of  Candy  had  joined  Colonel  Stuart 
at  Negumbo,  and  was  now  at  Baspital.  He  crossed  the  river  on 
the  14th,  and  took  up  a  position  on  the  left  of  the  English. 

On  the  iSth,  the  fort  of  Columbo,  and  the  remaining  posses- 
sions under  the  Dutch  authority  in  the  island,  surrendered  by 
capitulation,  and  the  British  troops  were  in  possession  of  the 
fort  on  the  10th  morning. 

The  senior  engineer  was  Lieutenant  Mackenzie,  Captain 
Norris  having  been  left  at  Trincomalee,  to  put  the  fortifications 
in  a  proper  state  of  defence. 

The  other  engineers  were — 

Lieutenant  Cleghorne, 
„  De  Havilland, 

„  Cotgrave,  and 

„  Torriano. 

Early  in  1797,  the  Pioneers  with  this  force  were  ordered  to 
Madras,  but  Major-General  Doyle,  then  commanding  the  island, 
having  represented  that  some  pioneers  were  indispensable,  a 
party    of  fifty,    under   Lieutenant   Fitzgerald,    were    allowed    to 


284  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [179T. 

remain,  and  did  duty  in  Ceylon  till  1802,  when  the  island  became 
a  Crown  colony, 

Colin  Mackenzie  inspected  and  reported  on  the  forts  on  the 
west  coast  of  Ceylon,  and  returned  to  Madras  coast  in  May  1796. 
On  26th  August  1797,  300  pioneers  embarked  at  Madras  as 
part  of  a  force,  under  the  command  of  Major- General  Sir  J. 
Craig,  K.B.,  which  was  intended  for  the  siege  of  Manilla. 

The  engineers  with  the  force  were  to  have  been — 

Captain  Colin  Mackenzie.  Lieutenant  Fotheringham. 

„       Johnstone.  ,,  Sydenham. 

„       Blair.  Ensign  Ravenshaw. 
Captain-Lieutenant  Pittman.  „       Bradley. 

Lieutenant  W.  Farquhar. 

Captain-Lieutenant  Pittman,  Ensigns  Bradley  and  Raven- 
shaw, were  sent  in  advance  to  Malacca,  to  prepare  materials 
for  the  siege. 

Owing  to  the  threatening  attitude  of  Tippoo,  it  was  thought 
desirable  to  abandon  the  expedition,  and  the  troops  were,  after  a 
few  days,  disembarked. 

In  September,  we  learn  that  Captain  Mackenzie  was  to  return 
to  his  station  with  the  Nizam's  detachment ; 

Captain  Johnstone  to  Ganjam  ; 

Captain-Lieutenant  Blair  to  Guntoor  ; 

Lieutenant  R.  H.  Fotheringham  to  Baramahl  ; 

„  Sydenham  to  Adjutant  of  Engineers  at  Presidency  ; 

Captain  Pittman 


Ensign  Bradley 

Ravenshaw 


now  to  the  eastward,  to  return  to  their 
duty  on  the  coast ; 


Captain  Forrest  to  do  duty  at  Columbo; 
Lieutenant  Castle  to  do  duty  at  Point  de  Galle.* 

*  28rd  August  1796. — Cudmore  died  at  Kistnagherry. 
8th  March. — Ravenshaw  appointed  Practitioner-Engineer. 
7th  April  1797. — Torriano  to  Cape  and  Europe  on  account  of  his  health. 
Ist  April  1797. — Brevet-Captain  Dowse  appointed  commandant  of  Pioneers. 


1798.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  285 

On  6th  February  1798,  the  Board  stated  "  that  they  are  very 
sensible  of  Captain  Mackenzie's  industry  and  zeal  (he  had  sent 
in  plans  and  surveys  of  Hyderabad  territory),  and  will  remind 
the  Honourable  Court  of  the  recommendation  of  this  Govern- 
ment, that  he  may  be  appointed  Surveyor-General — a  situation 
he  is  particularly  well  qualified  to  fill  " 

On  23rd  February,  Captain-Lieutenant  Pittman  was  suspended 
the  service,  for  abuse  of  trust  and  neglect  of  duty,  till  the 
pleasure  of  the  Court  be  known. 

He  put  in  a  number  of  most  favourable  letters  from  his 
brother  ofiBcers  who  all  wrote  in  the  highest  terms  of  him.  Those 
who  wrote  were — 

General  Ross,  regarding  his  services  in  the  Mysore  Campaign, 
and  in  Malacca. 

Lieu  ten  ant- Colonel  Gent. 

„  Caldwell. 

„  Trapaud. 

„  Mackenzie,  most  favourably,  especially  of 

his  conduct  at  Pondicherry  in  1793. 

Pittman's  conduct  was  submitted  to  the  favourable  con- 
sideration of  the  Court. 

He  appears  to  have  been  suffering  from  severe  ill-health,  and 
lay  under  a  violent  attack  of  his  eyes.  So  bad  was  he  that  he 
died  on  the  28th  May  1798. 

His  death  was  doubtless  brought  on  by  the  mortification  he 
experienced  by  being  suspended,  chiefly  because  he  was  ill   and 

January  1798. — Rowley  and  Garrard  appointed  Practitioner-Engineers. 

January. — llutiny  of  Artillery  at  the  Mount — Lieutentant-Colonel  Geils,  com- 
mandant (formerly  Major  Engineers) — put  down,  and  three  or  four  ringleaders 
shot.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Geils  censured  (unjustly),  remonstrates,  and  is  finally 
suspended  and  sent  home.  He  appeals,  and  although  not  re-instated,  is  pensioned 
with  the  pay  of  his  rank. 

6th  March  1798. — Major  Beatson  appointed  to  command  the  Gnides. 

6th  March  1798. — Wood  to  sea  for  his  health. 

23rd  June  1798. — Lennon  to  Cape  and  England  for  his  health. 

Captain  Norris  was  engineer  at  Trincomalee. 


286  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  ri798. 

unfit  for  work.  This  shows  how  careful  a  Government  should 
be  not  to  condemn  utterly,  until  they  have  exhausted  every 
means  of  ascertaining  the  rights  of  a  case  Patience  should  be 
posted  up  in  large  letters  in  all  the  council  chambers  of  the 
empire. 

On  6th  September,  Captain  Colin  Mackenzie  of  Engineers 
was  directed  to  join  Lieutenant-Colonel  Roberts'  detachment, 
which  he  would  probably  find  at  Hyatnugger.  Colonel  Roberts 
was  commanding  a  force  on  the  borders  of  Hydrabad.  At  this 
time,  the  Nizam  had  a  large  force  officered  and  disciplined  by 
French  officers. 

This  corps,  the  Nizam  had  agreed  to  disband,  and  the  force 
was  to  be  replaced  by  a  similar  British  Subsidiary  Force.  This 
treaty  was  concluded  on  1st  September  1798.  At  this  time,  two 
English  battalions  were  at  Hydrabad,  and  as  soon  as  the  treaty 
was  concluded,  Colonel  Roberts  marched  with  four  battalions  of 
sepoys,  and  guns  to  Hydrabad,  which  place  he  reached  on  J  0th 
October. 

Captain  Mackenzie  joined  the  force  on  7th  October. 

The  Nizam  at  first  hesitated  to  break  up  the  French  force, 
commanded  at  that  time  by  Monsieur  Piron.*  However,  about 
noon  on  the  22nd,  Colonel  Roberts  moved  down  with  four 
Madras  battalions,  and  artillery,  ordering  Lieutenant- Colonel 
Hyndman  to  support  him  with  the  Bengal  detachment.  At 
3  P.M.  he  occupied  the  heights  in  front  of  the  French  lines,  and 
they  soon  after  surrendered.  By  7  p.m.  the  British  troops  were 
in  possession  of  every  part  of  the  French  lines,  guns,  arms,  and 
all  their  military  stores,  12,000  stand  of  arms,  and  seven  pieces 
of  cannon.     Their  force  was  13,000  men. 

A  mutiny  which  had  broken  out  in  the  French  camp  aided  the 
views  of  those  who  wished  to  disperse  the  force. 

The  French  officers  surrendered  themselves  as  prisoners,  not 

*  Monsieur  Raymond,  a  much  more  able  and  eflBcient  oflScer.had  shortly  before 
been  in  command.     He  died  a  few  months  previous  to  this. 


1798.)  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  287 

reluctant  to  escape  the  fury  of  their  men.  All  of  them  were 
restored  to  their  country  without  any  detention  for  exchange, 
and  their  property  was  carefully  preserved  for  their  use. 

In  September  of  this  year,  Major  General  Ross,  the  Chief 
Engineer,  brought  to  notice  the  inadequate  strength  of  the 
Engineer  Corps.     He  said  : — 

'*  In  the  last  Mysore  campaign,  under  Lord  Cornwallis, 
although  the  corps  of  Engineers  for  field  service  consisted  of 
eleven  officers,  and  that  we  were  joined  by  six  engineers  on  the 
Bengal  Establishment,  yet,  from  the  number  of  casualties  before 
the  siege  began,  we  were  obliged  to  have  recourse  to  infantry 
officers  as  engineers." 

"  Six  engineers  came  with  the  Bombay  army.  They,  how- 
ever, would  have  had  to  carry  out  a  separate  attack  He  strongly 
recommended  an  increase  in  the  corps." 

"  He  also  proposed  that  two  companies  of  lascars  employed  at 
the  Presidency  be  increased  to  15U  or  200  men  each,  and  stated 
that  a  quantity  of  entrenching  tools,  scaling  ladders,  baskets, 
hides  and  ropes,  together  with  boards  and  planks,  posts,  &c.,  are 
required.  All  these  things  were  found  particularly  useful  at  Nun- 
didroog,  where  the  operations  of  the  siege  were  much  accelerated 
by  their  being  ready." 

In  October  1798,  the  Pioneers  were  employed  in  repairing  the 
roads  between  the  stations  in  the  centre  division,  and  in  con- 
structing boats  for  crossing  the  Palar  with  reference  to  the 
campaign  against  Tippoo,  which  was  sliortly  to  take  place. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Ross  received  his  brevet  of  colonel  in  the 
army  for  service  in  the  field  from  1st  March  1794. 

On  the  8th  January  1790,  the  Court  of  Directors  ordered  the 
corps  of  Engineers  to  consist  of — 

I  colonel,    1    lieutenant-colonel,    1    major,   4    captains,  8  lieu- 
tenants, 8  ensigns,  1  adjutant  (non-effective)  =  24  officers. 

The  Chief  Engineer  was  to  receive  such  an  addition  to  his  pay. 


288  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1799. 


and  full  batta,  as  would  make  his  allowances  equal  to  those  of 
the  Commandant  of  Artillery.  In  consideration  of  these  allow- 
ances he  was  restricted  from  having  any  concern  whatever  in 
public  buildings,  or  works,  or  in  the  materials  used  therein. 

At  the  time  of  the  siege  of  Seringapatam,  1799,  the   corps  of 
Madras  Engineers  consisted  of  the  following  oflBcers — 
Colonel  Ross,  Chief  Engineer  at  Presidency. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Gent,  S.*  Chief  Engineer  at  Seringapatam. 
Major  Trapaud,  S. 

Captain  Norris,  S.,  aide-de-camp  to  Chief  Engineer. 
„       Lennon ;  on  leave  to  Cape  and  Europe. 
„       Mackenzie,  S. 

„       Forrest ;  on  foreign  service,  Ceylon. 
„       Johnstone,  S. 
Captain-Lieutenant  Wood  ;  on  leave  for  his  health. 
Caldwell,  S. 
Blair,  S. 
„  Farquhar ;  foreign  service  at  Malacca. 

Lieutenant  R.  H.  Fotheringham. 
„         Castle,  S. 
„         Cleghorne,  S. 

„        De  Havilland,  with  Colonel  Brown's  force. 
„         Cotgrave,  S. 
„         J.  Fotheringham. 
„         B.  Sydenham,  S. 

,,         R.  H.  Torriano ;  on  leave  to  Cape  and  Europe. 
Ensign  Fraser,  S. 
,,      Ravenshaw. 
,,      Bradley. 
„      Arthur,  S. 
„      Garrard,  S. 
„      Rowley,  S. 
Malton,  S. 
„      Bell,  S. 
„      Smith,  S. 

*  S.  denotes  that  the  ofBcer  was  present  at  siege  of  Seringapatam,  1799, 


1799.]  MADP.AS    ENGINEERS.  289 

It  may  be  interesting  to  note  here,  that  in  December  1798, 
just  before  the  war  with  Tippoo,  a  corps  of  militia  was  re- 
established and  embodied  in  Madras. 

It  consisted  of  the  Honourable  Company's  civil  servants,  and 
other  inhabitants  of  Fort  St.  George  and  Black  Town. 

On  11th  December,  Lieutenants  M.  H.  Cormick  and  William 
Davies  were  appointed  to  the  Pioneers,  and  Mr.  John  Balfour 
was  directed  to  superintend  the  engineer  artificers  with  the 
arinv. 


X9 


290  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1799. 


CHAPTEB   XI. 

Campaign  of  1799. — Plan  of  the  Campaign. — Hostilities  commenced,  5th  March 
1799. — Routes  to  Seringapatam. — Rowley  and  GaiTard  join  Nizam's  con- 
tingent.— Tippoo's  attack  on  the  Bombay  Army  at  Sedaseer. — Tippoo  moves 
to  meet  General  Harris. — Action  at  Malavelly. — Army  crosses  Cauvery  at 
Sosilla,  just  about  the  junction  of  the  Cubbary  River. — A  line  of  posts  from 
the  river  to  Sultanpettah  secured. — Floyd  marches  towards  Periapatam. — 
Bombay  Army  arrives,  and  crosses  the  river. — General  Floyd  marches 
towards  Cauverypooram. —  At  Mysore  Ensign  Rowley  examines  the  fort. — 
Enemy  advances  to  secure  village  on  northern  side  of  river,  where  it  was 
proposed  to  establish  an  enfilading  battery. — Attack  on  enemy's  intrench- 
ments  at  old  powder-mill. — Attack  on  the  outposts  of  the  Bombay  Army. — 
Enemy's  intrenchments  behind  the  water-course  which  runs  to  Periapatum 
Bridge  attacked  — Norris  and  Farquhar  crossed  the  greater  part  of  the 
river  on  29th  April. — Scarcity  of  provisions. — Lieutenant  Lalor  finds  the 
river  fordable. — Breach  practicable. — Storming  party. — Colours  planted  on 
summit  of  breach. — Tippoo  killed. — Our  loss. — Survey  of  position  of  army 
before  Seringapatam. — Dispute  between  Wellesley  and  Captain  Norris. — 
Captain  Bong's  case. — G.  0.  G.  regarding  Seringapatam  medal. 

The  Governor-General  ordered  armies  to  assemble  on  the 
coasts  of  Malabar  and  Coromandel  on  20th  June  1798. 

On  20th  October,  he  gave  peremptory  orders  to  the  Govern- 
ment of  Fort  St.  George  to  complete  their  battering  train,  and 
advance  it  as  quickly  as  possible  to  a  more  eligible  situation  on 
the  frontier  of  the  Carnatic. 

At  this  time,  the  English  fleet  under  Nelson  had  just  won  the 
battle  of  the  Nile.  We  had  revived  our  defensive  alliance  with 
the   Nizam,   destroyed  French   influence  at   Hydrabad,  and  esta- 


1799.  MADRAS!    ENGINEERS.  291 

blished  a  respectable  British  force  there.  An  English  squadron 
was  present  on  the  Malabar  coast.  The  Peishwa  was  disposed 
to  fulBl  his  engagements  to  the  utmost  of  his  power,  and  our 
military  preparations  on  both  coasts  were  proceeding  rapidly.  It 
was  thought  all  this  would  bring  Tippoo  to  reason. 

The  Governor- General  arrived  at  Madras  on  31st  December 
1798.  On  3rd  February  1799  he  directed  General  Harris  to 
enter  Mysore,  and  General  Stuart  to  co-operate  from  Malabar. 

The  general  plan  of  the  campaign  was  for  the  principal  army 
to  assemble  at  Vellore,  proceed  up  the  valley  of  the  Palar  to 
Vaniembaddy,  and  then  make  for  the  Palicode  Pass,  Rvacottah, 
and  Tellamungalum  ;  from  which  place  it  was  to  advance  on 
Seringapatam,  by  the  best  available  route  ;  the  Bombay  army 
was  to  concentrate  at  Cannanore,  to  advance  and  take  post  at 
Sedaseer,  eight  or  ten  miles  west  of  Periapatam*  on  the  road 
from  Cannanore  to  Seringapatam  ;  and  thence  move  towards  that 
fortress,  so  as  to  arrive  about  the  same  date  as  the  Grand  Army. 
The  Bombay  army  consisted  of  6.420  fighting  men.  of  whom 
1,617  were  Europeans. 

It  marched  from  Cannanore  21st  February,  arrived  at  the  head 
of  the  Poodicherum  Ghaut  on  2.5th,  and  took  post  at  Sedapoor 
and  Sedaseer  on  2nd  March.  The  main  army  moved  from 
Vellore  towards  Mysore  on  llth  February.  On  the  2(Slh  it 
encamped  at  Carumungalum  (sixteen  miles  south  of  Kistna- 
gherry).  The  Nizam's  Contingent  joined  on  the  18th,  under 
Colonel  Roberts.  On  its  arrival,  the  Contingent  was  placed  under 
the  command  of  Colonel  Arthur  Wellesley,  and  strengthened  bv 
the  addition  of  H.M.'s  33rd  Regiment. 

Captain  Mackenzie,  of  Madras  Engineers,  had  accompanied 
this  force  from  Hydrabad,  and  was  the  Chief  Engineer  of  Colonel 
Wellesley's  brigade.  The  sepoys  of  the  late  French  corps, 
which  had  been  disbanded  by  Colonel  Roberts  at  Hydrabad,  were 

*  Periapatam  ia  forty-two  miles  west  of  Seringapatam. 

19  ♦ 


292  MILITABY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1799. 

placed  under  the  command  of  Captain  John  (afterwards  Sir  John) 
Malcolm. 

The  Grand  Army  proceeded  by  Palicode,  and  Suntamarinelly  to 
Ryacottah,  where  it  encamped  on  4th  March. 

The  Left  Wing,  commanded  by  Major-General  Popham,  con- 
sisted of  three  brigades,  commanded  respectively  by  Colonel 
Sherbrooke  Lieutenant-Colonels  Gardiner,  and  Scott. 

The  Right  Wing,  commanded  by  Major-General  Bridges,  of 
three  brigades,  under  Major-General  Baird,  Colonels  Roberts,  and 
Gowdie. 

The  cavalry,  under  Major  General  Floyd,  consisted  of  two 
brigades,  under  Colonels  Stevenson,  and  Pater. 

lyth  and  23rd  Light  Dragoons,  and  four  regiments  of  native 
cavalry  (1st,  2nd,  3rd  and  4th). 

Colonel  Gent  was  the  Chief  Engineer. 
Captain  John  Norris,  his  Aide-de-Camp 

,,       Mackenzie,  engineer  with  Nizam's  Contingent. 

,,       Dowse,  commanding  the  Pioneers 

„       Orr,  Captain  of  the  Guides. 
LieutenantThomasSydenham,Deputy- Captain  of  the  Guides. 
Major  Beatson,  Surveyor-General  to  the  Army. 
Colonel  Smith  commanded  the  Artillery. 

The  Nizam's  detachment  was  commanded  by  Hon.  Colonel 
Arthur  Wellesley,  under  whom  was  Lieutenant- Colonel  Dal- 
rymple,  commanding  the  Company's  troops,  consisting  of  two 
brigades.  Captain  Malcolm  commanded  the  Nizam's  infantry, 
and  Meer  Allum  his  cavalry. 

On  5th  March,  General  Harris  commenced  hostilities,  by 
sending  Major  John  Cuppage  against  the  hill  forts  of  Neel 
Durgum  and  Anchitty.  The  former  was  abandoned,  and  the 
latter  surrendered.     They  were  both  occupied  by  our  troops. 

On  the  7th,  Oodea-Durgum  surrendered  to  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Oliver. 


1799.]  MADBAS   ENGINEEES.  293 

On  the  8th,  Kutnagherry  was  taken  possession  of,  after  a 
slight  resistance,  by  Captain  Orton ;  and  on  the  9th,  the  whole 
army  assembled  at  Tellanumgalum — 30,959  fighting  men,  besides 
6,000  of  Nizam's  cavalry.  A  large  detachment  from  the  south- 
ward, which  was  intended  to  co-operate,  was  placed  under  the 
command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brown,  and  that  from  the 
Baramahl  was  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Kead. 

At  this  time,  the  iSultan's  army  was  at  Maddoor,  and  1,500  of 
his  cavalry  had  beeu  detached  to  Oossoor  to  burn  forage. 

From  Tellamungalum  to  Seringapatam  there  were  three 
routes : 

First — by  Tully,  Murlwady,  and  CancanhuUy.  This  was 
considered  objectionable,  as  the  pass  of  Tully  had  never  been 
examined,  and  was  considered  likely  to  prove  impassable  for 
heavy  guns. 

iSecond — by  Anicul,  Talgautpooram,  and  CancanhuUy  ;  well 
known,  having  been  used  in  1791. 

Third — Anicul,  Talgautpooram,  and  Chennapatam.  Tippoo 
being  supposed  to  be  encamped  near  Chennapatam,  this  route 
was  considered  objectionable,  and  route  No.  2  was  selected. 

On  10th  March,  the  army  moved,  but  halted  on  the  11th  at 
Callacondapilly.  Captain  Mackenzie  on  this  day  applied  for 
two  subalterns  of  engineers,  to  as&ist  him  in  superintending  the 
pioneers,  and  Lusigns  Kowley  and  Garrard  proceeded  next  day 
to  join  the  Nizam's  Contingent. 

On  the  12th,  the  army  encamped  two  miles  south-east  of  Jigeny. 
The  army  was  harassed  by  numerous  bodies  of  horse  (or  Looties, 
as  they  were  called).  On  our  right  we  left  the  village  of  Anicul. 
A  considerable  body  of  the  enemy's  horse  appeared,  which 
was  soon  dispersed  by  the  Horse  Artillery. 

On  the  13th  we  halted,  but  on  the  lith,  the  army  marched  by 
the  left  in  a  north-west  direction,  and  encamped  within  a  few 
miles  of  Bangalore.  The  Nizam's  detachment  moved  on  the 
flank  of  the  Grand  Army,  and  baggage,  &c.   was  elbowed  into 


294  MILITAKY    HISTOEY   OF    THE  'ri799. 

the  thickest  jungles  and  rugged  paths,  the  best  road  being 
occupied  by  the  battering  train  and  stores. 

On  the  15th,  the  army  again  halted. 

On  the  16tb,  the  army  marched  west  to  Talgautpoorara — eight 
miles  south-west  of  Bangalore.  The  country  was  now  uneven,  and 
full  of  jungle.  Eight  wing  took  up  a  position  on  the  north  side 
of  a  small  pass  near  Caglipoorum.  Enemy's  horse  acted  upon 
our  rear,  but  were  kept  in  check  by  Colonel  Floyd,  with  four 
regiments  of  cavalry,  infantry,  and  guns. 

Ensign  Rowley  remarked  in  his  diary  this  day  :  "  It  is  possible 
the  Grand  Army  may  know  whither  they  are  going,  but  our 
(Nizam"s)  detachment,  after  losing  their  way  more  than  once, 
encamped  amid  rocks  and  thickets.  The  army  is  not  far  ofl', 
out  of  sight.     My  baggage  and  servants  are  all  missing." 

On  the  1 7th,  the  army  marched  through  a  delightful  valley, 
skirted  by  low  hills  covered  with  wood,  and  so  confined,  that  it 
was  impossible  for  the  enemy  to  act  with  safety. 

On  the  18th,  the  army  halted. 

On  the  19th,  the  left  wing  and  cavalry  marched  five  miles  to 
Harnhully,  ten  miles  west  of  Cancanhully,  and  intelligence  was 
received  that  the  Sultan's  army  had  advanced  to  Hullagoor,  near 
Sultanpettah,  eleven  miles  east  of  Malavelly. 

On  the  20th,  left  wing  encamped  seven  miles  north  of 
Cancanhully.  Right  wing  at  Harnhully,  and  Colonel  Wellesley's 
division  in  the  rear. 

On  21st  March,  army  encamped  at  Cancanhully,  on  the  banks 
of  the  Arkavutty,  which  was  at  this  point  forty-five  yards  wide. 
Major  Allen  (Deputy  Quartermaster-General)  and  Captain  Orr 
(of  the  Guides)  reconnoitred,  and  discovered  two  tanks  at  Achel, 
eight  miles  in  advance.  The  5th  Brigade,  under  Colonel 
Roberts,  conducted  by  Major  Allen  and  Captain  Orr,  marched  at 
10  P.M.,  and  at  3  a.m.  came  up  with  some  of  the  enemy's 
vedettes.     They  were  driven  in,  and  the  tanks  secured. 

The  right  wing  encamped  there  with  five  regiments  of  cavalry  on 


1799.]  MADKAS    ENGINEERS.  295 

the  22nd ;  while  the  left  wing,  one  regiment  of  cavalry,  and  the 
Nizam's  Contingent  remained  at  Cancanhully. 

On  the  28rd,  the  right  wing  and  cavalry  marched  from  Achel, 
and  encamped  at  Sultanpettah.  Left  wing  advanced  to  Achel, 
and  Nizam's  Contingent  encamped  at  HuUagoor  (two  miles  west 
of  Maddoor  river,  on  left  bank).  Tippoo  at  this  time  had 
quitted  the  west  bank  of  the  Maddoor  river,  and  was  encamped 
at  Malavelly. 

Ensign  Rowley  gives  the  following  account  of  the  followers  of 
the  army : — 

"  The  market  of  General  Harris'  army  equals  in  extent,  and 
in  variety  of  articles  exposed  for  sale,  that  of  a  populous  city. 
The  followers  of  the  army  are  so  numerous,  that  on  a  moderate 
calculation  they  may  be  considered  to  exceed  the  number  of 
fighting  men  in  the  proportion  of  five  to  one.  The  appearance 
of  our  army  on  the  march  from  a  neighbouring  hill  is  truly 
surprising.  It  may  be  compared  with  the  emigration  of  the 
Israelites  from  Egypt :  the  surrounding  plains  and  downs 
appear  to  be  in  motion.  Herds  of  cattle  and  flocks  of  sheep 
conceal  the  soil ;  the  route  of  the  troops  is  marked  by  the 
gleaming  of  their  arms,  and  that  of  the  battering  train  by  a  long, 
slow-moving  inky  line.  On  a  nearer  view  the  scene  is  some- 
times laughable:  here  a  laden  ill-bred  bullock  taking  fright, 
scampers  off,  plunging  and  kicking,  and  tlirowing  a  whole  herd 
into  confusion ;  twenty  others  follow  his  example,  and  broken 
pots  and  pans  strew  the  plain. 

''  The  drivers  abuse  their  cattle,  and  each  other  ;  sometimes  an 
alarm  of  the  Looties'  approach  occasions  a  worse  disorder  ;  men 
women,  and  children  scamper  in  all  directions,  and  leave  their 
unconcerned  charge  to  its  fate." 

The  tanks  were  usually  found  filled  with  milk  hedge  plant, 
which  is  supposed  to  be  poisonous,  but  its  ill-effects  were  not 
apparent. 

On  24th  March,  the  right  wing  took  up  a  position  on  the  west 


296  MILITAEY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1799. 

bank  of  the  Maddoor  river,  where  Tippoo  had  been  encamped  for 
five  days, — our  cavalry  on  the  east.  It  was  expected  that  the 
passage  of  the  river  would  have  been  disputed,  as  Syed  Guffoor, 
with  300  infantry  and  1,000  horse,  with  ten  guns,  had  been 
posted  on  the  heights  east  of  the  river ;  but  on  our  approach  he 
was  ordered  to  fall  back.  It  was  at  this  time  that  General  Harris 
received  news  of  Tippoo's  attack  on  the  Bombay  army  near 
Sedaseer,  in  the  Coorg  country.  Tippoo  had  marched  on  SHth 
February,  and  arrived  at  Periapatam  on  5th  March. 

On  the  Gth,  he  crossed  his  own  frontier,  and  attacked  the 
Bombay  army.  The  attack  was  sustained  by  a  brigade  of  2,000 
men,  one  march  in  front  of  the  army.  This  force,  in  spite  of 
great  disparity  of  numbers,  opposed  the  enemy  with  great 
gallantry,  till  the  arrival  of  General  Stuart  with  two  European 
regiments,  when  the  enemy  retired  with  precipitation.  Tippoo 
lost  1,500  killed  and  wounded,  while  ours  was  only  140. 

Our  advanced  brigade  consisted  of  only  2,000  men,  while 
Tippoo's  force  was  11,800  of  his  best  troops. 

The  Sultan's  army,  after  receiving  this  defeat  quitted 
Periapatam,  reached  Seringapatam  on  J  4th  March,  and 
immediately  moved  forward  thence  to  meet  General  Harris. 

On  26th  March,  the  whole  of  the  English  army  moved  in 
compact  order,  and  encamped  five  miles  east  of  Malavelly. 

On  the  27th,  the  army  marched  from  its  left  flank  on  the 
great  road  leading  to  Malavelly,  while  Colonel  Wellesley's  divi- 
sion moved  close  to  it  on  the  left.  Eive  regiments  of  cavalry  under 
Major  General  Ployd  formed  the  advance.  Colonel  Wellesley's 
division  was  directed  to  advance  on  the  enemy's  right  (the 
enemy  were  drawn  up  on  the  heights  in  front)  supported  by 
General  Floyd  v/ith  three  regiments  of  cavalry.  His  division 
advanced  with  the  33rd  Regiment  at  its  head,  while  the  enemy's 
guns  seemed  to  be  directed  towards  the  Grand  Army,  which  was 
advancing  on  the  riglit.  As  we  closed  with  them,  their  guns 
were  drawn  off.     With  the  intention  uf  covering  their  retreat,  a 


1799.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  297 

large  body  of  their  infantry  advanced  with  great  boldness  on 
Colonel  Wellesley's  division.  Their  attack  was  received  by  the 
33rd,  and  the  advance  of  the  division,  which  returned  their  fire 
at  k'ss  than  lOD  yards.  After  a  few  minutes  they  began  to 
waver  and  broke  ;  Colonel  Floyd  then  charged  them,  and  hewed 
the  unfortunate  brigade  to  pieces  Meanwhile  on  our  right  an 
attack  was  made  on  the  1st  European  Brigade  by  a  large  body 
of  enemy's  boldest  cavalry.  H.M.'s  J  2th  gave  their  fire  at  the 
distance  of  about  twenty  yards,  and  a  mass  of  men  and  horses 
fell ;  a  few  broke  through  the  line,  but  the  remainder  fled. 

The  whole  army  was  now  formed  in  one  line,  and  advanced  in 
pursuit ;  but  the  General  soon  ordered  the  pursuit  to  be  stopped, 
and  the  troops  returned  to  the  first  intended  encampment. 

Ensign  Rowley,  in  his  diary,  says:  "  Thus  ended  the  battle  of 
Malavelly,  which  appeared  to  those  who  were  not  in  the  secret 
to  be  a  very  confused  sort  of  skirmish.  The  official  account*  of 
it  will  appear  as  regular  as  those  of  Marlborough  or  Frederick, 
where  every  circumstance  appears  to  have  been  foreseen,  known, 
and  provided  for." 

Our  loss  was  small:  3  officers  wounded,  6  Europeans  killed 
and  34  wounded;  1  Native  killed,  and  10  wounded,  and  6 
missing.     Total,   GO. 

Amongst  the  wounded  oflBcers  was  Ensign  Thomas  Eraser, 
Madras  Engineers,  Adjutant. 

Tippoo's  loss  was  fully  1.000  killed  and  wounded. 

On  the  28th,  the  army  marched  four  miles  south-west  from 
Malavelly,  to  be  within  an  easy  march  of  Sosilla,  where  there 
is  a  good  ford,  by  which  General  Harris  intended  to  cross  the 
Cauvery.  This  plan  was  recommended  to  the  Commander  in- 
Chief  by  Colonel  Gent,  the  Chief  Engineer,  on  17th  March. 
Copies    of    the    original   memoranda    were    sent   to    the    Com- 


*  General  Harris's  account  of  it  is  short  and   unassuming.     Colonel  Beatson 
manufactured  a  famous  battle. 


298  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1799. 


mander-in- Chief  on  the  24th,  and  five  days  afterwards  the  army 
crossed. 

Major  Allen  was  sent  with  300  men  to  explore  the  country  as  far 
as  the  river  ;  he  returned  at  night  and  made  a  favourable  report. 
The  army  marched  at  day-break  on  the  29th.  At  Sosilla  many 
thousands  of  inhabitants  were  found,  who  had  collected  in 
the  ditch  of  the  fort  twelve  or  fifteen  thousand  cattle,  besides 
sheep  and  goats. 

The  right  wing,  the  cavalry,  and  Colonel  Wellesley's  division, 
camped  on  north  side  of  Cauvery,  while  the  left  wing  cr(jssed. 
General  Harris  halted  on  the  3Uth  till  2  p.m.,  when  the  remainder 
of  the  army  crossed,  except  a  Native  battalion,  left  to  cover  the 
rear. 

The  Cauvery  here  was  300  or  400  yards  broad,  with  a  sandy 
bottom,  and  three  feet  deep. 

This  movement  appears  to  have  been  totally  unexpected  by  the 
enemy. 

Tippoo  had  marched  to  Arrikera  on  the  30th,  after  the  battle 
of  Malavelly.  He  sent  a  force  north  and  east,  with  the  expect 
ancy  of  attacking  the  English  army  in  the  rear;  but  the  move- 
ment across  the  river  must  have  greatly  disconcerted  him  ;  and 
on  hearing  of  it,  he  made  for  Seringapatam.  His  troops  lay  on 
their  arms  every  night  after  the  action  at  Malavelly. 

On  the  31st  the  army  halted. 

General  Harris  learnt  that  Tippoo's  infantry  and  guns  had 
been  sent  to  Seringapatam,  but  that  he,  with  all  his  cavalry,  had 
crossed  to  the  south  side  of  the  river. 

On  1st  April,  the  army  encamped  close  to  the  Cauvery  at 
Rungasamoodra,  about  thirteen  miles  south-east  from  Seringa- 
patam. 

On  the  2nd,  the  army  marched  only  three  miles,  as,  the 
Nizam's  cavalry  having  neglected  to  occupy  the  position  pointed 
out,  the  army  had  to  halt  for  four  hours,  in  order  that  they 
might  pass  with  their  baggage. 


1799.]  MADBAS   ENGINEERS.  299 

This  seems  very  characteristic  of  troops  commanded  by  natives 
of  India. 

The  enemy's  cavalry  appeared  in  our  front,  while  the  army 
was  taking  up  its  ground.  Tippoo  himself  reconnoitred  from  a 
hill  in  front. 

On  the  3rd,  the  army  encamped  on  the  high  road,  about  five 
miles  south  east  from  Seringapatam.  Tippoo  had  not  had  the 
spirit  to  oppose  our  passage  over  ground  which  a  more  deter- 
mined general  might  have  disputed  with  a  possibility  of  success. 

From  this  point  we  obtained  a  distant  view  of  the  whole  of 
the  island  and  city.  The  pettah  of  Shahr-Ganjam  had  been 
destroyed,  and  the  enemy's  infantry  were  encamped  behind  some 
new  works.  These  new  works  were  within  six.  or  seven  hundred 
yards  of  the  walls,  extending  from  Dowlut  Bagh  to  the  Peria- 
patam  bridge. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Ith,  the  army  marched  west,  keeping 
on  high  ground,  about  four  miles  from  Seringapatam. 

On  the  next  day,  the  army  continued  its  march,  keeping  under 
cover  of  ridges  to  south  and  west  of  Sultanpettah,  in  order  to 
avoid  the  topes  which  afforded  cover  for  the  enemy's  rocketmen. 
After  a  march  of  a  few  miles,  the  army  took  up  its  ground 
opposite  the  west  face  of  the  fort,  at  a  distance  of  about  two 
miles. 

In  their  front  was  a  chain  of  advanced  posts,  on  high  ground, 
occupied  by  the  Nizam's  troops,  commanded  by  British  ofhcers. 
The  right  of  the  camp  was  on  high,  commanding  ground,  which 
gradually  descended  to  the  left,  where  it  was  doubly  secured  by 
a  canal,  and  the  river. 

This  canal  supplied  excellent  water,  served  as  a  strong 
intrenchment,  and  several  deep  ravines  intersecting  the  rear  of 
the  camp  rendered  it  impenetrable  for  the  enemy's  cavalry. 

Five  large  topes  within  the  camp  furnished  an  abundant  supply 
of  materials  for  the  siege. 

From  the  left  of  our  position  the  canal  took  an  easterly  direc- 


300  MILITARY    HISTOBY    OF    THE  [1799. 

tion,  till  it  approached  ■within  a  mile  of  the  fort ;  where  it  wound 
off  to  the  right  towards  Sultaupettah  tope.  The  canal  was  fifteen 
yards  wide,  and  six  feet  deep,  with  a  high  bank  towards  the 
city.  There  were  several  ruined  villages  and  rocky  heights  in 
front,  which  gave  cover  to  enemy's  infantry  and  rocketmen,  and  it 
became  absolutely  necessary  to  dispossess  the  enemy  of  these  posts. 

Accordingly,  on  the  evening  of  the  5th  April,  il.M.'s  12th, 
and  two  battalions  of  sepoys,  with  their  guns,  under  Colonel 
JShawe,  and  H.M.'s  '6Svd  and  2nd  Bengal  Infantry,  under  Colonel 
Wellesley,  were  ordered  to  be  in  readiness  at  sunset ;  the  former 
to  attack  the  post  at  the  aqueduct,  and  the  latter  the  Sultau- 
pettah Tope.  Captain  Colin  Mackenzie,  of  Madras  Engineers, 
accompanied  the  Honourable  Colonel  Wellesley. 

The  night  was  pitch  dark,  and  the  ground  almost  unknown  to 
our  troops. 

Colonel  Shawe's  party  succeeded  in  establishing  itself  in  a 
ruined  village,  close  in  front  of  the  enemy's  post  in  the  nullah, 
when  Colonel  Shawe  quietly  allowed  the  enemy  to  keep  up  an 
incessant  fire,  without  exposing  his  men.  With  Colonel  Wel- 
lesley it  fared  badly.  The  light  company  of  33rd  pushed  too 
eagerly  into  the  tope,  and  came  on  a  work  of  the  enemy,  who 
opened  a  heavy  fire  on  them.  The  men  too  much  in  advance, 
finding  themselves  not  supported,  retreated  precipitately,  leaving 
Colonel  Wellesley  and  Captain  Mackenzie  by  themselves.  In 
such  a  helpless  and  hopeless  situation,  the  only  thing  to  do  was  to 
endeavour  to  rejoin  the  division,  but  in  attempting  it,  the  dark- 
ness of  the  night  was  such  that  they  lost  their  way,  and  it  was  not 
until  they  had  groped  about  strange  ground  for  several  hours 
that  they  reached  the  camp. 

Ensign  Rowley  says :  "  In  fact  the  attack  of  Wellesley  has 
failed  ;  the  party  having  lost  each  other  in  the  obscurity  of  the 
night.  Wellesley  is  mad  at  this  ill-success  ;  he  has  left  Lieute- 
nant Fitzgerald  with  twenty-five  men  of  his  corps  (33rd)  either 
killed,  or  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy." 


17990  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  80] 

Next  morning,  General  Harris  ordered  a  detachment  to  be 
formed,  consisting  of  94th  Regiment,  two  battalions  of  sepoys, 
and  five  guns,  under  Colonel  Wellesley,  to  make  a  second 
attempt  on  the  tope.  General  Baird  accompanied  the  regiment 
^o  parade,  and  found  General  Harris  walking  about.  Colonel 
Wellesley  did  not  appear,  and  troops  liaving  waited  an  hour, 
General  Harris  ordered  Baird  to  take  command  He  mounted 
his  horse  for  the  purpose,  but  a  moment  afterwards  lie  said  to 
General  Harris:  "Don't  you  think.  Sir,  it  would  be  but  fair 
to  give  Wellesley  an  opportunity  of  retrieving  the  misfor- 
tune of  last  night."  Colonel  Wellesley  shortly  afterwards 
appeared,  and  took  command.  The  cause  of  his  delay  is  stated 
by  Captain  Mackenzie,  Madras  Engineers,  to  have  been — "  that 
when  they  arrived  at  camp,  Colonel  Wellesley  went  to  head- 
quarters to  report  what  had  happened ;  but  finding  that  General 
Harris  was  not  yet  awake,  he  threw  himself  on  the  table  of  the 
dinner-tent,  and  worn  out  with  fatigue  and  anxiety  of  mind,  fell 
asleep." 

Ensign  Rowley,  of  the  Madras  Engineers,  accompanied  this 
second  attack.  "The  force  advanced  under  cover  of  some  field- 
pieces,  which  played  on  the  tope  to  dislodge  the  enemy.  They 
had  advanced  some  distance  into  the  tope,  when  a  smart  fire  of 
musketry  was  opened  from  the  nullah,  which  winds  along  it. 
Our  line  was  quickly  formed,  and  the  enemy  were  in  ten  minutes 
dislodged  by  the  field-pieces,  which  moved  with  us.  As  they 
proceeded,  large  flanking  parties  were  sent  out  on  our  right,  and 
the  enemy  retreated  on  all  sides.  We  took  possession  of  a  line 
of  posts,  extending  from  the  left  of  the  tope  to  the  village  of 
Sultanpettah  on  the  right." 

At  the  same  time.  Colonel  Shawe  rushed  from  his  post,  and 
dislodged  the  enemy  from  the  nullah  in  his  front;  and  Colonel 
Wallace  also  succeeded  in  dispossessing  the  enemy  of  a  village 
on  their  right  flank. 

A  strong  connected  line  of  posts  was  thus  obtained  from  the 


302  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1799. 

river  to  the  village  of  Sultanpettah,  a  distance  of  about  two 
miles.  The  canal  thus  taken,  formed  a  first  parallel  to  the  west 
face,  about  a  mile  distant  from  it.  A  brisk  cannonade  was  kept 
up  all  day  on  our  posts  from  the  fort. 

At  daybreak  on  the  6th,  General  Floyd,  with  four  regiments 
of  cavalry,  and  left  wing  of  the  army  (except  the  Regiment  de 
Meuron),  marched  towards  Periapatam,  to  form  a  junction  with 
the  Bombay  army. 

On  evening  of  the  7th,  the  enemy  were  employed  in  making 
an  intrenchment  at  the  ruins  of  a  powder  mill,  near  south  bank 
of  the  Cauvery,  750  yards  from  the  fort. 

The  enemy's  cavalry,  under  Cummer-u-Din,  marched  on  the 
road  to  Periapatam. 

On  the  8th,  the  Engineers  moved  in  front  of  the  line,  close  to 
the  tope,  which  is  named  the  Engineer's  tope.  The  Engineers 
were  engaged  to-day  in  tracing  the  course  of  the  nullah.  Half 
the  Bamboo  coolies  and  tent  lascars,  with  all  the  Native  and 
European  pioneers,  were  placed  under  the  orders  of  Colonel 
Gent,  the  Chief  Engineer,  to  be  employed  in  preparing  materials 
for  the  siege. 

On  the  9th,  Captain  Mackenzie,  Ensigns  Rowley  and  Gar- 
rard, were  employed  in  strengthening  the  post  of  Sultanpettah, 
by  lowering  the  outer  wall,  and  throwing  traverses  across  the 
streets. 

Our  posts  were  named  as  follows  : — 

Main  out-post  in  front :  Shawe's  post. 

That  in   bank  of  canal    on  the   right   of  Shawe's:   12- 

pounder  battery. 
Sultanpettah  :  Post  of  Sultanpettah. 
That  to  left  of  village,  near  a  burying-ground  :   Post  in 
front  of  Engineer's  tope. 

A  European  regiment,  and  two  battalions  sepoys,  occupied 
Shawe's  post. 

A  Native  company  was  detached  to  12-pounder  battery. 


17i».]  :\rADRAS    ENGINEERS.  303 

A  company  of  Europeans,  and  500  Native  Infantry,  occupied 
Sultanpettah,  and  a  company  of  Europeans  and  400  Native 
Infantry  were  stationed  in  front  of  Engineers'  tope. 

Field  officers  of  the  day  had  command  of  advanced  picquets, 
and  a  general  officer  had  immediate  command  of  Shawe's  post, 
and  a  general  control  over  the  advanced  posts. 

On  the  9th,  Colonel  Gent,  the  Chief  Engineer,  was  directed 
to  prepare  a  plan  for  an  attack  connected  with  the  possession  of 
part  of  the  island  ;  and  one  in  which  that  possession  may  not  be 
necessary  ;  and  he  was  to  consider  the  army  as  occupying,  if 
requisite,  both  sides  of  the  Cauvery. 

On  the  13th,  he  submitted  two  plans  of  attack  to  the  Com- 
mander in-Chief  :  one  for  attack  against  the  west  angle, 
considering  the  army  to  occupy  both  sides  of  the  Cauverv  ;  the 
other  for  the  attack  of  the  south-west  angle,  on  a  supposition  of 
our  being  in  possession  of  part  of  the  island.  The  Chief  Engineer 
likewise  stated  the  advantages  and  disadvantages  that  occurred 
to  him  in  forming  these  attacks. 

On  the  ITth,  the  Commander-in-Chief  gave  orders  to  attack 
the  west  angle. 

On  the  11th,  Ensigns  Rowley  and  Garrard,  who  had  been 
working  under  Captain  Mackenzie  with  the  Nizam's  force,  were 
ordered  to  rejoin  their  corps. 

On  the  13th,  the  men  employed  as  working  parties  consisted  of : 

Two  battalions  sepoys. 
The  Pioneers. 

A  part  of  the  lascars  and  other  followers. 
The  fascines  makers  and  store  lascars,  attached  to  Engineers' 
Department. 

At  3  P.M.,  a  heavy  cannonade  commenced.  Enemy's  shot 
were  chiefly  directed  to  Engineers'  tope,  and  head-quarters. 
One  shot  reached  the  Commander-in-(Jliief's  tent,  4,300  yards 
from  the  Cavalier,  whence  it  was  fired.     At  half-past  7,   General 


304  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  ri799. 

Floyd's  signal -guns  were  heard,  denoting  that  he  was  encamped 
within  two  marches  of  Seringapatam. 

On  the  14th,  in  afternoon,  the  Bombay  army  arrived,  and 
took  up  a  position  in  rear  of  ours.  Ensign  Warren,  of  33rd, 
was  this  day  appointed  Assistant  Engineer. 

Colonel  Gent,  and  the  Corps  of  Engineers,  had  been  so 
assiduous  in  the  prepnration  of  materials,  that  in  six  days  there 
was  a  sufficiency  for  the  proposed  batteries,  and  the  Chief 
Engineer  reported  to  the  Commander-in-Chief  that  he  was  in 
readiness  to  commence  the  siege. 

By  the  15th,  the  enemy  had  completed  intrenchment  on  the 
west  bank  of  river,  opposite  west  face  of  fort.  On  the  right 
of  this  there  was  an  unfinished  redoubt,  and  before  the  south- 
west angle  a  circular-work,  with  three  embrasures  facing  Shawe's 
post. 

On  the  16th,  the  Bombay  army — consisting  of  three  regiments 
Europeans,  six  battalions  Native  Infantry,  and  three  companies 
of  Artillery,  and  field-pieces — crossed  the  river,  and  took  up  a 
strong  position  facing  east,  its  right  towards  the  ford,  and  left 
on  higher  ground,  covered  by  a  canal,  well  secured  in  front  by 
a  hill,  which  formed  an  advanced  post  The  rear  of  the  camp 
was  intersected  by  deep  ravines.  The  hill  in  front  was 
near  the  Eadgah  redoubt,  which,  it  will  be  remembered,  was 
stormed  by  a  part  of  General  Medow's  column  on  the  night  of 
1 5th  May  1792,  during  the  attack  on  Tippoo's  intrenched  camp. 
Tt  was  now  ascertained  that  the  river  was  no  impassable 
obstacle  to  the  passage  of  the  troops. 

Rice  was  beginning  to  run  short,  and  the  supplies  ex- 
pected from  Lieutenant  Colonels  Brown  and  Read  were  looked 
for  with  some  anxiety.  General  Floyd  was  on  16th  encamped 
three  miles  from  the  array,  preparatory  to  moving  towards 
Cauverypooram  pass. 

Ensign  Rowley,  of  Engineers,  was  ordered  to  join  General 
Floyd's  force,  which  was  assisted  by  part  of  the  left  wing. 


17990  MADBAS    ENGINEERS.  305 

He  set  out  with  some  intrenching- tools  on  the  evening  of 
the  16  th. 

At  6  A.M.  on  17th,  General  Floyd  roarched  towards  Mysore. 
The  line  halted  some  distance  from  the  new  fort,  and  Ensign 
Rowley  was  directed  by  the  General  to  examine  if  the  fort 
was  tenable  against  cavalry.  The  fort  was  found  quite  de- 
serted. Ensign  Kowley  was  enabled,  owing  to  the  unfinished 
state  of  the  fort,  to  walk  his  horse,  and  those  of  the  troopers 
(who  escorted  him)  through  the  breaches.  After  he  had  made 
his  report  to  the  General,  the  division  moved  to  the  Delaway- 
Yeri,  a  large  tank  about  two  miles  beyond  Mysore,  and  close 
under  Chamandy  Hill. 

On  the  17th,  General  Floyd  returned  to  Seringapatam.  While 
the  Bombay  army  was  taking  up  its  position  on  the  north  side 
of  the  Cauvery,  the  enemy  advanced  to  the  ruined  village,  situated 
on  the  north  of  river,  in  the  prolongation  of  the  west  face  of  the 
fort,  with  the  intention  of  establishing  a  work  there.  As  this 
was  the  site  of  a  proposed  enfilading  battery,  General  Stuart  was 
directed  to  attack  the  enemy. 

The  attacking  column  was  for  some  time  galled  by  a  severe 
cannonade  ;  but  the  attack  was  made  with  great  gallantry,  and 
the  enemy  was  compelled  to  retire  This  post  was  of  great 
importance,  about  1,000  yards  from  north-west  angle,  and  in  a 
most  favourable  position  lor  the  proposed  battery.  It  was 
afterwards  connected  by  intermediate  posts  with  the  hill  on  the 
left. 

At  the  same  time  that  this  attack  was  made,  a  nullah  on  the 
south  side  of  the  river,  called  the  little  Cauvery,  was  taken 
possession  of  by  Major  MacDonald,  It  runs  parallel  to  the 
fort,  at  500  to  1,000  yards  distance.  It  was  called  MacDonald's 
post,  and  afterwards  became  an  useful  depot  for  engineers'  tools 
and  materials. 

On  the  17th,  the  Chief  Engineer  formed  the  Corps  of  Engineers 
into  brigades. 

20 


306  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1799. 

1st  Brigade. — Captain  Mackenzie. 
Lieutenant  Castle. 
Ensign  Arthur. 

Ensign  Warren,  of  H.M.'s  33rd. 
2nd  Brigade. — Captain  Johnstone. 

Lieutenant  Cleghorne. 
Ensign  Garrard. 
Bell. 
3rd  Brigade. — Captain  Caldwell. 

Lieutenant  Sydenham. 
Ensign  Rowley. 
4th  Brigade. — Captain  Blair. 

Lieutenant  Cotgrave. 
Ensign  Malton. 
„       Smith. 
The  1st  brigade  carried  on  the  enfilading  attack  on  the  north 
side  of  the  river,  while  the  other  three  brigades  were  on  the  south 
side,  and  were  on  duty  alternately  for  twenty-four  hours. 

Colonel  Sartorius,  of  Bombay  Engineers,  and  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Trapaud,  of  Madras  Engineers,  were  in  turn  field  officers 
of  the  day ;  the  troops  on  duty  being  commanded  by  Major- 
Generals  of  the  day. 

On  the  night  of  the  17th,  Captain  Dowse,  with  his  corps  of 
Madras  Pioneers,  under  the  direction  of  Captain  Mackenzie,  of 
Engineers,  completed  a  battery  for  six  12-pounders,  and  two 
howitzers,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  river.  It  was  placed  at 
night  exactly  according  to  the  surveys  of  1792,  and  imagined  to 
be  directly  in  line  with  the  west  face ;  but  the  survey  proved 
erroneous,  and  this  battery  had  afterwards  to  be  rebuilt  some 
what  to  the  left. 

It  was  intended  to  enfilade  the  west  face,  and  take  the  in- 
trenchments  in  reverse. 

On  this  same  night,  an  approach,  450  yards  long,  was  made 
from  Shawe's  post  to  Macdonald's,  and  improved  the  next 
day 


1799.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  307 

Captain  Johnstone  had  endeavoured  to  establish  two  guns  on 
the  left  of  our  post  (MacDonald's),  but  owing  to  the  loss 
experienced  by  the  working- parties,  Avas  unable  to  complete  the 
work- 
On  the  20tb,  two  12-pounders  were  advanced  to  a  spot  in  front 
ol  Sultanp'.  ttah  post,  where  there  was  a  natural  barbette  battery, 
formed  by  two  compartments  of  a  rice-field,  one  rising  four 
feet  above  the  other.  The  guns  were  to  enfilade  northern 
parts  of  intrenchraents  on  the  west  bank  of  Cauvery,  and 
were  well  calculated  to  support  an  attack  on  Old  Powder-mill 
work.  The  enemy  were  soon  driven  by  the  fire  from  the  north 
part  of  the  intrenchment.  It  was  quickly  ascertained  that 
these  guns  could  annoy  the  fausse-braye  before  the  north- 
west bastion,  as  well  as  the  bastion,  and  take  in  reverse  the 
West  Cavalier. 

The  2ud  brigade  of  Engineers  was  on  duty  on  the  20th.  In 
the  evening  an  attack  was  made  on  enemy's  intrenchment  at  Old 
Powder-mill.   , 

Colonel  Sherbrooke  (Major-General  of  the  day)  commanded. 
At  dusk  three  columns  advanced,  preceded  by  small  parties  of 
European  Pioneers,  under  a  well  directed  fire  of  our  guns.  The 
attacks  were  completely  successful.  The  enemy's  loss  was  250 
killed  and  wounded.     We  had  only  one  man  wounded. 

The  working-party  of  the  night,  under  Captain  Johnstone, 
Lieutenant  Cleghorne,  and  Ensigns  Garrard  and  Bell,  was 
immediately  set  to  work  to  form  a  parallel  520  yards  in  length, 
extending  from  the  river  at  the  mill,  to  the  aloe  hedge  on  the 
bank  of  the  nullah  which  formed  Macdonald's  post.  It  was  so 
far  completed  during  the  night,  that  it  afibrded  cover  for  our 
troops  at  7tt0  yards  from  the  fort,  and  440  yards  from  the 
nearest  point  of  the  enemy's  intrenchment.  It  was  remarkably 
strong,  one  tiank  being  on  the  Cauvery,  and  the  other  on  the 
Little  Cauvery,  both  of  which  have  steep  banks.  From  the  left 
of  this  intrenchment  a  complete  view  was  obtained  of  the   west 

20  ♦ 


308  MILITABY   HISTOEY   OF    THE  [1799 

face  of  the  fort,  that  is,  from  north-west  angle  bastion  to  a  low 
new  bank  beyond  the  second  or  great  round  tower.  The  stone 
glacis  which  extended  along  the  whole  north  side  of  the  fort, 
but  did  not  sufficiently  cover  the  walls,  terminated  at  the  west 
face  of  north-west  angle  bastion  ;  here,  instead  of  a  glacis,  was  an 
upright  retaining  wall  forming  the  counterscarp  of  the  ditch. 
It  was  thick,  but,  being  low,  left  the  fausse-braye  and  main 
rampart  exposed  to  breaching  batteries  from  the  west.  The 
retaining  wall  might  have  been  breached,  and  the  ditch  laid  open 
to  the  base  of  the  rampart. 

The  rocks  in  the  river  near  the  west  face  of  the  fort  appeared 
smooth.  Several  people  were  observed  crossing  the  river 
opposite  the  very  point  proposed  to  be  breached,  that  is  the 
west  curtain,  a  little  to  the  right  of  the  flank  of  the  north-west 
bastion. 

On  the  21st,  at  sunset  (3rd  brigade  of  Engineers  on  duty),  a 
battery  for  six  18-pounders  was  marked  out,  just  in  front  of  the 
parallel  nearly  in  line  with  the  north  face.  Captain  Mackenzie, 
who  superintended  the  north  attack,  was  instructed  to  make 
another  enfilading  battery  on  that  side  of  the  river,  and  to  place 
it  exactly  in  a  line  with  the  west  curtain,  in  such  a  position  that 
its  fire  would  range  behind  the  rampart,  and  along  the  whole  of 
west  face. 

Mackenzie  reconnoitred  the  ground  about  sunset.  The 
advanced  parties  of  the  enemy,  who  had  concealed  themselves 
among  some  ruined  houses  near,  were  dislodged  by  some  com- 
panies of  74th,  and  after  giving  Mackenzie  sufficient  time  to 
mark  out  the  battery,  our  troops  retired. 

Soon  after,  the  enemy  rallied  in  great  force,  and  commenced  a 
heavy  fire. 

This  inspired  them  with  so  much  confidence  that  they  deter- 
mined to  make  a  general  attack  on  the  outposts  of  the  Bombay 
army. 

At  2.30  A.M.  of  the  22nd,  the  enemy's  rocketmen,  having  got 


1799.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  309 

in  rear  of  General  Stuart's  encampment,  threw  a  number  of 
rockets.  This  was  immediately  followed  by  a  prodigious  fire  of 
musketry  at  all  the  posts  in  front  of  the  Bombay  army.  The 
attack  was  made  by  G,UOO  infantry,  and  Lally's  corps  of  French- 
men. 

The  French  behaved  with  great  spirit.  Some  of  them  were 
killed  within  our  intrenchments  by  the  bayonet,  and  others  close 
to  it,  but  the  attacks  failed,  although  continued  for  several 
hours.  The  enemy  lost  600  or  700  men  killed  and  wounded. 
These  attacks  prevented  Captain  Mackenzie  from  establishing 
the  battery. 

The  six-gun  battery  in  front  of  the  Mill  parallel  about  twenty 
vards  to  left  of  the  Mill,  and  800  yards  from  west  face  of  the 
fort,  was  constructed  in  six  hours  on  the  2 1st  night,  by  the 
uncommon  exertions  of  Captain  Dowse  with  Native  Pioneers, 
assisted  by  the  European  Pioneers  under  Lieutenant  I'arquhar, 
74th. 

The  engineers  directing  the  work  were  Captain  Caldwell, 
Lieutenant  Sydenham,  and  Ensign  Rowley. 

Four  of  the  guns  and  two  howitzers  were  got  into  the  battery 
before  daylight,  opened  on  the  22nd  upon  the  cavalier  and 
north-west  bastion,  completely  silenced  six  of  the  enemy's  guns 
opposed  to  them,  and  carried  away  the  flagstaff  on  the  cavalier, 
although  our  guns  were  without  the  intended  support  from  the 
enfilading  battery  on  north  of  river. 

On  the  next  night,  as  the  battery  was  found  to  have  the 
desired  effect,  two  more  guns  were  added  to  it. 

At  the  same  time,  the  Pioneers  and  a  working-party  constructed 
the  battery  marked  out  by  Captain  Mackenzie.  It  was  a  sunken 
battery  for  four  18-pounders,  and  two  howitzers.  The  two 
batteries  opened  at  sunrise  on  the  23rd.  They  mutually  sup- 
ported one  another,  and  fired  with  great  eflect,  particularly  the 
new  enfilading  battery,  which,  being  exactly  placed,  ranged 
behind  the  western  rampart. 


310  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  ri799. 

Thev  scion  silencnd  every  gun  opposed  to  tliem. 
Two  small  batteries  for  two  guns  eacli  were  constructed,  or 
rather  attempted  to  be  constructed,  this  night— one  some  100 
yards  in  front  of  Shawe's  post,  which  was  not  completed  ;  the 
other  at  the  tombs  in  front  of  the  Sultanpettah  or  Engineers' 
tope,  which  had  to  be  relinquished. 

These  batteries  were  from  the  beginning  disapproved  of  by 
the  Engineers,  from  their  exposed  and  unsupported  situation, 
and  from  the  circumstances  of  the  communication  with  them 
being  open  to  the  fort's  fire.  They  obtained  in  the  trenches  the 
nickname  of  "  Head-quarter  Forts." 

On  the  24th  night,  (3rd  brigade  of  Engineers  on  duty)  an 
approach  was  carried  from  the  right  of  the  mill  battery  250 
yards  in  length,  clearing  the  south-west  angle  of  the  fort,  and 
thence  in  another  direction  clear  of  the  "bridge  head"  at  the 
Delhi  Ford,  for  a  distance  of  J  30  yards.  The  work  was  much 
delayed  by  rain.  The  enemy's  fire  from  the  north-west  angle 
was  now  completely  silenced  ;  but  much  annoyance  was  caused 
by  their  guns  in  two  round  towers  to  the  right. 

During  the  night  of  the  23rd,  most  part  of  the  details  of 
Shawe's  post  were  advanced  600  yards,  and  occupied  the  deep 
ravine.  From  Shawe's  post  were  other  ravines  which  communi- 
cated with  it  also. 

As  a  number  of  French  officers  of  experience  assisted  in  the 
defence  of  the  fort,  it  was  necessary  to  proceed  with  caution. 
For  this  reason,  it  was  resolved  that  our  zigzags  should  run 
wide  of  the  fort,  and  that  their  prolongations  should  terminate 
at  points  within  command  of  our  advanced  posts.  In  order  to 
prevent  the  eflFect  of  a  retrenchment,  or  mines  in  the  breach,  it 
was  deemed  expedient  to  make  a  show  of  brtaehing  the  shoulder 
of  north-west  bastion. 

On  the  23rd  night,  the  village  of  Palhullypettah  was  occupied 
by  details,  and  two  field-pieces.  A  traverse  across  the  main 
street  made  this  an  excellent  post. 


17M.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  311 

The  enemy  still  fired  from  the  two  round  towers,  and  as  they 
were  the  only  guns  which  could  flank  the  breach,  it  was 
necessary  that  their  fire  should  he  kept  under;  so  on  the 
25tb,  (4th  brigade  of  Engineers  on  duty)  a  battery  of  four 
Ifi-pounders  was  marked  out  in  front  of  right  of  second  zig- 
zag, at  880  yards  from  the  towers,  and  completed  during 
the  night.  On  the  morning  of  the  2Gth,  it  opened  with  so 
much  effect,  that  in  half  an  hour  the  guns  of  both  towers  were 
withdrawn. 

The  enemy  had  occupied  in  great  force  a  strong  intrenchment, 
extending  from  the  river  almost  to  the  Periapatam  bridge,  parallel 
to  the  face  of  the  fort,  strengthened  by  redoubts  at  each  extremity, 
and  a  strong  work  in  the  centre.  The  intrenchment  was  380 
yards  from  the  fort,  behind  the  bank  of  a  water-course,  which, 
taken  from  the  Cauvery  by  a  dam  at  Montresor's  Island,  passes 
the  powder-mill,  and  runs  nearly  parallel  to  west  face  of  the  fort. 
It  was  resolved  to  attack  these  works.  Previous  to  the  attack, 
the  batteries  were  to  fire  on  the  works  and  intrenchment  for 
half-an-hour  before  the  troops  advanced,  and  then  the  fire  was  to 
be  directed  on  the  works  of  the  fort  from  which  most  annoyance 
was  to  be  expected. 

Major  Skelly  and  Colonel  Moneypenny  led  two  parties  to  the 
attack,  and  dislodged  the  enemy  from  the  works  on  their  right. 
Our  party  was  much  annoyed  by  a  furious  fire  from  the  walls, 
and  from  the  works  remaining  in  the  enemy's  possession  on  their 
left.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell,  74th,  with  two  companies, 
drove  the  enemy  from  a  circular  work  on  their  left,  and  pursued 
the  fugitives  across  the  Periapatam  bridge,  penetrated  into  their 
camp,  and  bayoneted  some  of  them  in  their  tents.  The  enemy 
were  so  panic-stricken  that  Campbell  made  good  his  retreat,  after 
spiking  two  guns  near  the  bridge.* 

Next  morning,  the   enemy,  having  somewhat  recovered  their 

*  This  attack  cau.ied  a  j^reat  alarm  in  the  fort,  and  a  furious  fire  was  opened, 
and  kept  up  for  two  hours. 


312  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1799. 

spirits,  returned  to  some  of  tlie  posts  on  their  left,  and  kept  up 
a  severe  fire  of  musketry  on  the  troops  which  occupied  the 
works  carried  the  previous  night.  Our  loss  was  considerable, 
but  the  objects  obtained  were  of  the  utmost  consequence.  These 
posts  were  defended  by  1,500  of  the  enemy;  in  the  defence  they 
lost  150.  It  was  in  agitation  to  abandon  these  works,  but  General 
Harris  directed  that  they  should  be  defended  to  the  last  extremity. 
During  the  night,  (26th)  our  approaches  advanced  to  a  redoubt 
on  right  of  enemy's  intrenchment,  400  yards  from  the  fort. 

The  enemy  had  re-occupied  the  circular  work  to  the  right 
during  the  night.  Colonel  Sherbrooke  directed  Colonel  Wallace, 
with  three  companies  74th,  to  attack  it.  This  service  was 
performed  with  gallantry,  and  he  effected  a  lodgment  behind  it. 
Having  done  this,  he  detached  Major  Skelly  to  drive  the  enemy 
from  a  post  still  farther  to  the  right;  this  attack  likewise 
succeeded. 

Our  troops  were  much  exposed  all  day  to  the  fire  of  the  fort, 
and  a  part  of  the  enemy's  intrenchment  towards  the  Periapatam 
Bridge,  which  they  still  occupied ;  and  from  this  fire  the  bank  of 
the  shallow  brook,  which  formed  their  post,  was  insufficient  to 
cover  them  effectually. 

The  circular  work  was  called  Wallace's   post,  and  the  other 
Skelly's.     On  night  of  27th  these  posts  were  connected,  and  the 
approaches  made  on  26th  were  enlarged. 
Our  loss  in  these  two  days  was  very  heavy. 

62  killed. 
226  wounded. 
19  missing. 

Total     307 

The  working  parties  strengthened  Skelly's  post  by  a  double 
intrenchment,  and  extended  from  Wallace's  to  the  left  a  place 
of  arms    200   yards,    which    covered    the    troops.     They    also 


1799.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  813 

deepened  and  widened  the  zig-zag  which  was  to  lead  to  the 
breaching  battery. 

The  first  breaching-battery  was  marked  out  at  sunset  on  the 
28th,  between  the  watercourse,  and  the  Cauvery  (Captain  Blair, 
with  his  brigade  of  Engineers,  on  duty). 

It  was  constructed  for  six  guns,  close  to  the  bank  of  the  river, 
and  about  400  yards  from  north- west  bastion. 

The  platforms  were  laid,  but  the  guns  were  not  brought  into  it 
from  the  difficulty  experienced  in  getting  them  through  the 
approaches,  and  across  the  stream  which  passes  through 
the  mill. 

On  the  29th  night  and  30th  morning  (Captain  Johnstone,  with 
his  brigade  of  Engineers  on  duty),  a  road  was  made  across  the 
mill-stream  for  the  guns,  which  were  placed  in  the  battery,  with 
the  exception  of  one,  carelessly  overturned  in  the  nullah.  On 
the  same  night  a  battalion  of  sepoys  was  employed  as  a 
working-party.  They  repaired  the  embrasures  of  eight-  and 
four-gun  batteries,  and  improved  zig-zag  in  rear  of  breach- 
ing battery.  At  the  same  time.  Captain  Mackenzie  enlarged 
the  enfilading-battery  by  adding  two  guns  to  its  left,  from 
which  he  also  extended  a  place  of  arms  for  four  field  pieces 
for  the  purpose  of  increasing  the  enfilading  fire  just  previous 
to  the  assault. 

It  was  expected  that  so  powerful  an  enfilade  would  render  it 
almost  impossible  for  the  Sultan's  troops  to  remain  on  the 
curtains  for  the  defence  of  the  breach  (an  opinion  fully  borne 
out  by  the  result). 

On  the  30th  April,  at  night  (Captain  Caldwell,  with  his  brigade 
of  Engineers,  on  duty),  a  second  breaching-battery  for  five  guns 
was  constructed,  and  the  platforms  of  the  six-gun  battery  altered 
so  as  to  bear  on  the  real  breach. 

The  guns  not  being  placed  in  the  new  battery,  the  six-gun 
battery  still  directed  its  fire  on  the  "  Political  "  breach  as  it  was 
termed.     Many  shots  were  expended  to  no  purpose,  in  the  hope 


314  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE  fiTJW. 

of  frightening  Tippoo  into  terms.  It  wiis,  however,  of  some 
consequence  to  conceal  from  the  enemy  the  spot  we  intended  for 
the  breach,  that  they  might  have  less  time  to  mine  it,  or  cut  it 
off.  In  the  course  of  this  morning  an  epaulement  was  made 
for  six  howitzers  on  the  right  of  the  five-gun  breaching 
battery. 

On  the  29th,  Captain  John  Norris,  Engineers,  aide-de-camp  to 
Chief  Engineer,  and  Lieutenant  Farquhar  of  74th,  commanding 
European  Pioneers,  crossed  the  greater  part  of  the  river  to 
ascertain  if  it  was  fordable,  but  being  discovered  by  a  party  of 
the  enemv,  were  unable  to  reach  the  opposite  side.  As  far  as 
they  went  it  was  very  practicable.  At  this  time,  there  were 
apprehensions  of  a  scarcity  of  provisions  in  camp.  Grain  of 
all  kinds  was  extravagantly  dear.  A  day's  ordinary  feed  for  a 
horse  could  not  be  procured  for  less  than  three  or  four  rupees, 
and  rice  was  scarcely  to  be  obtained  at  all.  The  private  servants 
of  the  army  were  half- starved. 

Erom  the  breaching-batteries  a  full  view  of  the  bed  of  the 
river  was  obtained.  Eocks  were  smooth,  and  there  was  very 
little  water. 

On  the  ]st  and  2nd  May,  morning  (Captain  Blair,  with  his 
brigade  of  Engineers,  on  duty),  a  battery  for  two  guns  on  the 
right  of  the  five-gun  breaching-battery  and  in  rear  of  the 
howitzer-battery,  was  raised  to  keep  down  the  fire  of  several 
guns  which  annoyed  us  from  some  new  works  on  the  south- 
west. Another  battery  for  four  12-pounders  was  placed  in 
the  enfilade  of  the  three  cavaliers,  merely  intended  to  disturb 
the  enemy  in  those  works,  from  which  it  was  supposed  the 
right  column  might  suffer  severely  in  their  advance  along  south 
rampart. 

The  batteries  being  now  all  completed,  at  sunrise  on  2nd  May, 
the  Nizam's  (or  five-gun)   battery  opened  on  the  curtain,  sixty 
yards  from  the  flank  of  the  north-west  bastion. 
f  The  six-gun  battery,   also   for  "the  first  line,  opened   on   this 


1799]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  315 

point.  These  batteries  fired  with  very  great  eflFect,  and  were 
well  supported  by  the  enfihiding  battery  of  six  l>^-pounders, 
six  howitzers  in  the  parallel  on  the  right,  four  IH-pounders 
in  Mill  Battery,  and  by  four-gun  batteries,  together  with  two 
12- pounders  at  the  tombs,  and  two  12-pounders  in  front 
of  Shawe's  post ;  in  all  twenty-nine  pieces  of  cannon  and  six 
howitzers. 

In  the  course  of  the  day,  the  fausse-braye  wall  at  the  foot  of 
the  rampart  was  ruined,  and  the  main  wall  shattered  con- 
siderably. 

Soon  after  the  batteries  opened,  a  shot  or  shell  having  struck 
a  large  magazine  of  rockets  and  powder  near  the  west  face,  it 
exploded  with  a  very  singular  appearance.  The  rockets  flew  in 
all  directions,  and  must  have  caused  much  loss  in  so  crowded  a 
city.  Colonel  ^Montague,  a  distinguished  oflBcer  of  the  Bengal 
Artillery,  was  killed  this  day. 

2nd  and  3rd  morning  (Captain  Johnstone,  with  his  brigade 
of  Engineers,  on  duty),  an  approach  was  dug  from  the  rear  of 
the  six-gun  breaching  battery,  and  thence  to  the  river  opposite 
the  breach. 

Lieutenant  Lalor,  of  73rd,  crossed  the  river  this  night,  and 
ascertained  that  it  was  fordable. 

On  the  morning  of  the  3rd,  the  2nd  brigade  of  Engineers 
being  employed  in  collecting  fascines,  scaling-ladders,  &c., 
in  the  trenches.  Ensign  Rowley  was  sent  from  camp 
to  sink  a  battery  for  four  12-pounders,  to  keep  down  the 
fire  from  some  cavaliers  within  the  fort,  and  to  favour 
the  intended  assault.  He  was  thus  employed  all  day  and 
night. 

At  3  p  M.  one  of  the  breaching  batteries  took  fire  from  the 
incessant  cannonade,  and  the  dryness  of  the  material.  It  was 
extinguished  by  the  exertions  of  the  artillery  and  other  officers 
on  the  spot. 

The  breach  was  reported  practicable  on  the  third  evening,  and 


316  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1799. 

the  troops  inteuded  for  the  assault  were  crowded  into  the  trenches 
before  daybreak  on  the  4th. 

The  four-gun  sunk  battery  constructed  by  Ensign  Rowley 
opened  its  guns  at  sunrise.  The  troops  intended  lor  the  storm 
consisted  of  ten  flank  companies  of  Europeans,  12th,  33rd,  73rd, 
and  74th  Regiments,  three  corps  of  Grenadier  Sepoys,  taken  from 
the  troops  of  the  three  Presidencies,  and  2,000  of  the  Nizam's 
troops. 

"The  troops  (according  to  Ensign  Rowley)  did  not  appear  to 
be  in  high  spirits,  nor  to  possess  that  ardour  which  they  after- 
wards manifested." 

"  The  trenches  were  crowded  with  officers,  who  were  making 
their  arrangements  for  the  ensuing  service,  and  passed  and  re- 
passed with  hasty  steps  and  anxious  looks.  Drams  and  biscuits 
were  served  out  to  the  Europeans,  and  the  whole  were  arranged 
in  the  order  of  advancing." 

"  In  the  meantime,  the  fire  from  our  batteries  and  the  fort  was 
incessant." 

General  Baird  commanded  the  whole  attacking  force  (2,494 
Europeans,  1,882  natives),  which  was  divided  into  two  parties; 
one  to  move  to  the  right,  under  Colonel  Sherbrooke,  consisted  of 
a  sergeant's  party,  as  the  forlorn  hope,  supported  by  a  subal- 
tern's party  of  thirty,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Hill,  74th 
(senior  subaltern  in  the  army),  conducted  by  Lieutenant  Lalor, 
of  73rd.  These  were  followed  by  half  the  flank  companies  of 
Europeans,  accompanied  by  Engineers  and  Pioneers,  and  half 
the  remaining  troops. 

The  left,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Dunlop,  was  led  by  a 
forlorn  hope  under  Conductor  Best;  a  subaltern's  party,  under 
Lieutenant  Lawrence,  7'/th,  guided  by  Lieutenant  Farquhar,  of 
74th  ;  the  flank  companies  of  the  Bombay  European  regiments ; 
accompanied  by  Engineers  and  Pioneers,  and  the  remaining 
troops. 


1799.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  371 

Both  the  columns  were  ordered  to  push  forward,  and  re -unite 

on  the  easteru  rampart. 

The    3rd    brigade    of    Engineers  accompanied    the    storming 

party. 

Captain  Caldwell         \ 

Lieutenant  Sydenham  I  Madras  Engineers. 

Ensign  Rowley  j 

Part  of  the  Regiment  de  Meuron,  and  three  battalions  Native 
Infantry,  remained  in  the  trenches  to  support  the  troops,  if 
necessary.     They  were  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Wellesley. 

About  I  P.M.,  all  being  in  readiness,  General  Baird  went  to 
the  head  of  the  column,  and  mounting  the  reverse  of  the  trench, 
drew  his  sword,  and  asked,  "  Men,  are  you  all  ready  ?  "  He 
was  answered  in  the  affirmative.     "  Then  forward,  my  lads !  " 

Now,  setting  up  a  loud  huzza,  they  rushed  into  the  river. 
The  columns  were  galled  by  a  heavy  fire  of  musketry  and  rockets, 
which  increased  as  they  advanced.  The  passage  across  the  river 
was  rendered  difficult  from  the  inequality  of  its  rocky  bed;  the 
depth  of  water  varied  from  a  few  inches  to  three  feet,  and  in 
some  places  was  much  deeper. 

The  ditch,  being  rendered  shallow  opposite  the  breach  by  the 
rubbish,  was  passed  without  much  difficulty,  and  the  colours 
were  planted  on  the  summit  of  the  breach  in  about  seven  minutes 
from  the  time  of  the  troops  quitting  the  trenches.  The  parties 
now  divided,  one  scouring  the  rampart  to  the  right,  the  other 
to  the  left.  Colonel  Dunlop,  fighting  hand-to-hand  with  one  of 
the  Sirdars  who  defended  the  breach,  was  disabled  by  a  cut  across 
the  wrist  of  his  sword-arm.  Colonel  Sherbrooke's  gallantry  was 
very  conspicuous.  Many  were  killed  in  ascending  the  breach 
(here  Captain  Caldwell,*  of  Engineeis,  was  wounded),  by  a  fire 
of  musketry  from  the  bastion  and  its  fausse-braye  on  the  left, 
which  the  enemy  had  stockaded,  and  lined  with  musketry. 
Ensign  Rowley  was  with  the  party  which  attacked  the  northern 

*  He  had  preyioaslj  been  wounded  in  the  trenches. 


3l8  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1799. 

rampart,  and  I  presume  Lieutenant  Sydenham  was  with  the 
force  which  attacked  the  southern  rampart,  under  General  Baird 
in  person. 

The  column  on  the  left,  first  cleared  the  north-west  bastion, 
and  the  fausse-braye  beneath,  whence  a  galling  and  close  fire  of 
musketry  had  been  kept  up  on  the  breach.  As  they  advanced 
on  the  north  rampart  a  lieavy  fire  of  musketry  was  directed 
against  them  from  the  inner  rampart,  between  which  and  that 
whereon  the  attacking  force  was  passing  was  a  deep  wet  ditch. 
They  were  relieved  from  this  annoyance  by  a  very  small  party  of 
the  12th,  headed  by  an  officer,  before  whom  the  enemy  fled 
without  resistance.  About  two  or  three  hundred  yards  from  the 
breach,  the  column  met  with  a  check  in  front  from  a  large  body 
of  the  enemy,  headed  by  the  Sultan  in  person  ;  they  were  posted 
behind  the  traverses  which  crossed  the  rampart,  and  gave  so 
steady  a  fire,  that  our  Europeans  were  staggered.  Most  of  the 
leading  officers  had  been  killed  and  wounded  on  the  breach,  and 
in  the  river.  The  Grenadiers  complained  that  their  ammunition 
was  wetted  in  crossing  the  river.  Farquhar,  of  74th,  with 
reproaches  and  persuasion,  at  length  made  them  follow  him 
towards  the  enemy,  when  he  was  instantly  shot  through 
the  heart.  More  officers  and  men  had  now  come  up,  and 
the  column  carried  everything  before  them.  The  enemy  were 
shot  and  bayoneted  without  mercy.  Some  leaped  over  the 
parapet  into  the  outer  ditch,  or  fausse-braye,  and  were  either 
killed  by  the  fall,  or  shot  from  the  rampart  above ;  otliers 
plunged  into  the  inner  wet  ditch,  and  were  drowned.  Those  who 
attempted  to  escape  to  the  inner  fort,  or  town,  by  the  Delhi  gate, 
in  the  north  face,  were  met  in  the  arch  by  those  who  were  driven 
out  by  the  troops  which  had  entered  the  place. 

Here  the  Sultan  was  killed,  and  overwhelmed  by  the  bodies  of 
his  subjects. 

As  the  two  parties  approached  each  other,  the  crowds  of  the 
unhappy  Mysoreans  thickened,  and  were  slain  in  heaps,  for  no 


1799.]  MADRAS    i^NGlNEERS.  319 

quarter  was  given.     When  the  heads  of  the  two  columns  came 
in  sight  of  each  other  a  loud  triumphant  shout  was  raised. 

As  the  right  column  advanced,  the  enemy  retreated  before 
them. 

Captain  Moll's  gallantry  was  very  conspicuous  ;  almost  singly 
he  pursued  the  euemy,  till  he  came  to  the  mud  cavalier  behind 
the  great  round  tower,  on  which  he  planted  a  flag.  His  men  soon 
collected,  and  advanced  rapidly,  driving  the  euemy  before  them. 
A  small  party  crossed  to  the  second  rampart,  by  means  of  some 
scaffolding  which  had  been  left.  On  this  inner  rampart  there 
was  no  opposition.  The  panic  amongst  the  enemy  became 
general,  and  thousands  threw  down  their  arms,  and  fled. 

The  three  cavaliers  on  the  southern  face  made  no  resistance, 
and  within  less  than  an  hour,  the  right  column  arrived  upon  the 
east  face  of  the  fort. 

Some  of  the  garrison  effected  their  escape  through  the  Ban- 
galore gateway,  on  the  east  face  ;  but  from  the  impatience  of 
the  fugitives  the  gate  which  opened  inwards  was  closed,  aud  no 
force  could  again  turn  it  back  on  its  hinges.  The  archway  was 
crowded  with  the  unhappy  wretches,  and  from  some  unknown 
cause  the  gate  took  fire.  The  scene  was  now  horrid ;  those  who 
attempted  to  avoid  the  flames  were  driven  back  into  them  by  the 
assailants.  Not  the  garrison  alone,  but  the  peaceful  inhabitants, 
even  women  and  children,  were  destroyed. 

Many  particular  scenes  of  horror  could  not  but  meet  the  eye 
during  the  heat  of  the  assault.  Much  resistance  was  expected 
from  the  lofty  cavaliers  which  were  situated  on  the  ramparts,  and 
within  the  town,  but  they  were  not  defended.  The  guns  in  the 
great  cavaliers  were  directed  by  our  troops  against  the  army  of 
the  enemy,  which  fled  from  their  camp  on  the  island,  and  crossed 
by  the  Carighaut  ford. 

In  about  two  hours  all  resistance  ceased,  except  from  the 
palace,  which  was  surrendered  to  General  Baird  at  half-past  o, 
together  with    the  sons  of  the  Sultan.     It  was  now  ascertained 


320  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1799. 


that  the  Sultan  was  killed,  and  that  his  body  lay  under  the  arch 
of  the  Delhi  gateway,  where  it  was  discovered  under  a  heap  of 
slain,  with  four  wounds. 

The  greater  propoi'don  of  the  principal  officers  of  the  Sultan 
were  either  killed  or  wounded  in  the  assault.  Their  houses, 
and  in  some  cases,  their  zenanas,  were  plundered,  and  jewels 
to  an  incredible  amount  were  obtained  by  some  individuals 
of  the  army. 

Fortunately,  the  treasure  in  the  palace  was  secured,  with  the 
exception  of  a  casket  of  jewels,  valued  at  700,000  pagodas. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  in  the  storm  may  be  estimated  at 
8,000  to  10,000  men  killed,  aud  the  number  wounded  in  a 
crowded  city  garrisoned  by  an  army,  must  have  been  very  con- 
siderable. 

Our  loss  during  the  siege  was  as  under : — 

Killed.          Wounded.  Missing. 

Officers                ...              22                  45  — 

Europeans          ...           l8l               622  22 

Natives               ...            119               420  100 


Total       ...  322  1,087  122 

Grand  total — killed,  wounded,  aud  missing,  1,531. 

On  the  day  of  the  assault,  there  were  in  the  fort  13,739 
infantry,  and  in  the  intrenchments  8,100,  so  the  garrison  con- 
sisted of  21,839  men. 

In  the  assault,  twenty-four  of  Tippoo's  principal  officers  were 
killed,  and  seven  wounded,  besides  a  great  number  of  inferior 
rank. 

Jn  the  fort  were  found — 

373  brass  guns. 
60  mortars. 

11  howitzers. 
466  iron  guns. 

12  mortars. 

922  pieces. 


1799.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  321 

Of  which  287  were  mouuLed  ou  ihu  fortifications. 
424,400  round  shot. 
520,000  lbs.  of  powder. 
99,000  muskets. 
1 1  large  powder-magazines. 
72  expense  magazines. 
11  armouries  for  small  arms. 

2  foundries  for  cannon. 

3  buildings  with  machines  for  boring  guns. 

4  arsenals. 

17  store-houses. 

Treasure  and  jewels,  to  the  value  of  2,535,804  pagodas, 
or  nearly  £900,000  sterling. 

The  French  under  Tippoo  amounted  to  twenty  oflBcers,  and 
100  men. 

On  the  5th  evening,  the  body  of  the  Sultan  was  deposited  in 
the  Mausoleum  erected  by  himself  to  the  memory  of  his  father, 
Hyder  Ali.  During  the  procession,  a  most  violent  storm  arose, 
which  levelled  to  the  ground  many  of  the  tents  in  camp.  In 
the  Bombay  camp,  two  or  three  officers,  and  some  followers  were 
struck  dead  by  the  lightning. 

The  river  Cauvery  began  to  rise,  and  though  perhaps  still 
practicable,  would  have  delayed  some  time  longer  the  assault, 
had  it  not  taken  place  on  the  4th. 

During  the  ensuing  days,  all  the  pioneers  in  the  army  were 
employed  in  burying  the  dead. 

The  great  mosque  was  turned  into  an  hospital  for  the  enemy's 
wounded. 

On  the  4th,  at  night,  a  stop  was  put  to  the  plunder  by  order 
of  General  Baird,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  oth,  two  or  three 
Bengal  sepoys  were  hanged,  as  examples  to  the  rest  of  tlie  army, 
for  having  disregarded  the  order. 

Colonel  Wellesley,  on  the  5th,  relieved  General  Baird  of  the 
command,    very  much    to    the   disgust   of  the  latter,  who  con- 

21 


322  MILITARY   HISTORY    OP    THE  [1799. 

sidered  that  as  he  had  commanded  the  assault,  he  was  entitled 
to  be  appointed  Commandant  of  Seringapatam. 

Keturn  of  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  from  4th  April  to 
4th  May  : — 

Madras  Engineers        ...      1  officer  wounded. 
Bengal  Artillery  ...      6  killed  and  22  wounded. 

Madras  Artillery  ..     23    killed,   53    wounded,    and  9 

missing. 
Bombay  Artillery         ...     9  killed  and  9  wounded. 
European  Regiments   ...     154  killed,  571  wounded,  and  11 

missing. 
Bengal  Native  Infantry       19  killed,  49  wounded,  and  26 

missing. 
Madras  Native  Infantry       58  killed,  206  wounded,  and  71 

missing. 
Madras  Pioneers  ...     1     officer    and    8    men    killed, 

and  37  wounded. 
Bombay  Native  Infantry     20  killed  and  93  wounded. 
Bombay  Pioneers         ...     3  killed  and  25  wounded. 

During  the  siege,  and  previous  to  the  assault,  thirteen  officers 
were  killed,  and  twenty-nine  wounded. 

During  the  assault,  ten  officers  were  killed,  and  fifteen 
wounded. 

Amongst  the  killed  were  Lieutenant  Lalor,  of  73rd,  and  Lieu- 
tenant Farquhar,  74th,  commanding  European  Pioneers.  These 
officers  guided  the  columns  of  attack  ;  Lieutenant  Hill,  74th, 
who  led  one  of  the  Subaltern's  parties,  and  Lieutenant  Cormick, 
of  the  Madras  Pioneers. 

On  5th  May,  the  Commander-in-Chief  issued  his  General 
Order  congratulating  the  army. 

The  following  extract  refers  to  the  Engineers,  Pioneers,  and 
Artillery : — 

"  The  Commander-in-Chief  requests  that  Colonel  Gent,  and 
the  Corps  of  Engineers  under  his  orders,  will  accept  his  thanks 


1799.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  323 

for  their  unremitting  exertions  in  conducting  the  duties  of  that 
very  important  department,  and  his  best  acknowledgments  are 
due  to  Major  Beatson  for  the  essential  assistance  given  to  this 
branch  of  the  service  by  the  constant  exertion  of  his  ability  and 
zeal." 

"  The  merits  of  the  Artillery  Corps  are  so  strongly  expressed 
by  the  effects  of  their  fire,  that  the  Commander-in-Chief  can 
only  desire  Colonel  Smith  to  assure  the  ofl&cers  and  men  of  the 
excellent  corps  under  his  command,  that  he  feels  most  fully 
their  claim  to  approbation. 

"  In  thus  publicly  expressing  his  sense  of  their  good  conduct, 
the  Commander-in-Chief  feels  himself  called  upon  to  notice  in 
a  most  particular  manner  the  exertion  of  Captain  Dowse,  and 
his  Corps  of  Pioneers,  which  during  the  present  service  have 
been  equally  marked  by  unremitting  labour,  and  the  ability  with 
which  that  labour  was  applied." 

During  the  siege  of  ISeringapatam,  a  strong  detachment,* 
under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Kead, — consisting  of  247  artillery  and 
gun  lascars,  109  European  Infantry,  3,39 G  Native  Infantry,  a 
troop  of  cavalry  of  47  men,  under  Captain  Montague  Cosby, 
1,684  of  JMizam's  Horse,  and  24  Madras  Pioneersf  (total  5,407), 
— was  employed  in  reducing  the  country  north  of  Ryacottah. 
Colonel  Read  took  Sooligherry  by  storm,  and  Peddanaik  Dur- 
gam  by  capitulation. 

He  then  proceeded  to  Canverypooram  to  collect  the  Brinjar- 
ries  with  supplies. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  A.  Brown,  with  a  force  of  4,299  men, 
composed  as  follows — 

Staff,  16  ;  Native  Cavalry,  33  ; 

Artillery,  98  ;  Native  Infantry,  2,896  ; 

European  Infantry,  910  ;       Gun  Lascars,  238; 

•  Ensign  Eraser,  of  Engineers,  was  with  this  force. 

t  Sergeant  King  commanded  these  Pioneers,  and  obtained  Conductor's 
allowance. 

21  * 


324  MILITARY   HISTOEY   OF    THE  [1799. 

Madras  Pioneers,  1  European  officer,  I  non-commissioned  officer, 
and  105  men, — marched  from  Trichinopoly  towards  Coimbatore, 
and  reduced  Caroor  on  5th  April. 

On  tliC  8th,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brown  sent  a  detachment 
against  Erode,  and  on  the  9th,  marched  to  Aravacoorchy, 
which  surrendered  next  day.  He  was  then  ordered  to  unite 
with  Colonel  Read  to  give  due  protection  to  the  supplies  for 
the  Grand  Army. 

Lieutenant  De  Havilland,  of  Madras  Engineers,  was  with 
Lieutenant- Colonel  Brown's  force.  Colonel  Brown  reported  that 
"  Lieutenant  De  Havilland  is  an  officer  of  superior  ability  in  the 
line  of  his  profession,  with  an  uncommon  share  of  zeal  and 
activity,  which  give  reasonable  expectation  of  important  service 
from  his  exertions  as  a  surveyor." 

Lieutenant  Bagshawe  commanded  the  pioneers  with  this  force. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Read  reduced  the  fort  of  Cauverypooram 
ou  22nd  April,  and  then  cleared  the  pass.  He  did  not  reach 
Marenhully,  the  head  of  the  pass,  till  the  27th,  and  it  was  the 
6th  May  before  he  got  the  supplies  through  the  pass.  Mean- 
while, General  Floyd  had  reached  Cowdahully,  a  few  miles  from 
Marenhully.     He  was  closely  followed  by  the  enemy's  cavalry. 

On  6th  May,  the  united  detachments  of  General  Eloyd,  and 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Read,  were  reinforced  by  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Brown,  and  on  the  7th  the  whole  14,000  men,  including  6,000 
Nizam's  Cavalry,  assembled  at  Hunnoor  and  moved  forward  to 
Seringapatam.  This  convoy  consisted  of  33,000  Brinjarry 
bullocks,  4,358  cattle  laden  with  rice,  &c.,  2,560  slaughter 
cattle,  and  21,900  sheep,  besides  arrack  and  medicines. 

They  arrived  in  safety  at  Seringapatam  on  13th  May.  On 
the  same  day,  the  Bombay  army  marched  on  its  return  to  the 
Malabar  coast,  via  Coorg,  and  arrived  at  Cannanore  on  22nd 
May.  General  Harris,  in  his  reports  regarding  the  capture  of 
Seringapatam,  alludes  in  a  very  general  way  to  the  services  of 
the  Engineers  and  Artillery,  and  does  not  seem  to  have  done 


ITSW.T 


MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  825 


full  justice  to  their  exertions.  The  artillery  fire  appears  always 
to  have  been  most  excellent  and  effective,  and  the  extent  of 
approaches,  and  number  of  batteries  erected,  show  clearlv  that 
the  work  of  the  Engineers  was  no  sinecure.  The  fire  of  the 
enfilading  battery,  constructed  by  Captain  Mackenzie  on  the 
north  side  of  the  river,  was  most  effectual  in  clearing  the  breach 
at  the  time  of  the  attack,  and  enabling  the  assaulting  party  to 
cross  the  river,  and  ascend  to  the  top  of  the  breach  in  seven 
minutes. 

The  siege  works  were  commenced  on  the  evening  of  17th 
April,  and  on  2nd  May  the  second  breaching  battery  was  com- 
pleted, and  opened  fire. 

In  these  fifteen  days,  three  batteries  were  made  north  of  the 
river,  and  seven  batteries  south,  not  including  the  "  Head- 
quarter"  batteries,  which  were  commenced,  and  abandoned. 

Besides  this,  about  a  mile  and  a  quarter  of  approaches 
were  made,  and  a  considerable  amount  of  labour  was  expended 
in  strengthening  the  various  posts  taken  from  time  to  time. 

In  spite  of  this.  General  Harris  makes  no  mention  of  indi- 
vidual officers  by  name,  either  in  Artillery  or  Engineers,  although 
in  both  corps  they  were  very  numerous  and  distinguished.* 

On  28th  July,  Major-General  Ross,  Chief  Engineer,  forwarded 
a  survey  of  the  position  of  the  army  before  Seringnpatam  during 
the  siege,  comprehending  a  plan  of  attack,  and  section  through 
the  breach,  sent  in  by  Colonel  Gent  with  the  following  letter, 
dated  10th  June  : — 

"I  beg  to  inform  you  that  on  1 7th  March  last,  I  represented 
to  the  Commander-in-Chief  the  advantages  to  be  derived  bv  the 
army  taking  a  southern  direction,  and  submitted  to  him  also  the 
advantage  of  taking  an  early  opportunity  of  crossing  the  (^au- 
very.     A  copy  of  these  Memos.  I  sent  officially  to   him  on  2-±th 

•  Ensij^n  William  GaiTard  was  praised  by  Honourable  Colonel  Wellesley  for 
his  conduct  on  a  particular  occasion,  whilst  under  his  command  before  Seringa- 
patam. 


326  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE  1799] 

March  ;  on  the  28th  the  army  crossed  the  Cauvery  near  a  large 
village  called  Sosilla.  On  5th  April,  the  army  arrived  before 
Seringapatam,  when  we  immediately  began  preparing  materials 
for  the  siege.  On  the  9th,  I  was  directed  to  prepare  a  plan  for 
an  attack  connected  with  the  possession  of  part  of  the  island, 
and  one  in  which  that  position  may  not  be  necessary,  and  that 
I  might  consider  the  army  as  occupying,  if  requisite,  both 
sides  of  the  Cauvery.  On  the  13th,  I  submitted  to  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief two  plans  of  attack  against  the  fort  of  Seringa- 
patam, one  for  an  attack  against  the  west  angle  of  the  fort,  con- 
sidering the  army  as  occupying  both  sides  of  the  Cauvery  ;  the 
other,  for  the  attack  of  the  south-west  angle  on  a  supposition 
of  our  being  in  possession  of  part  of  the  island.  I  likewise 
stated  the  advantages  and  disadvantages  that  occurred  to  me  in 
forming  these  attacks.  On  17th  April,  I  was  informed  by  the 
Military  Secretary  that  the  plan  for  the  attack  of  the  west 
angle  was  approved  of.  On  the  same  day,  T  formed  the  Corps 
of  Engineers  into  brigades,  and  in  the  evening  we  broke  ground 
on  north  side  of  the  river,  and  on  the  18th  our  first  battery 
opened  on  that  side.  We  continued  carrying  on  our  approaches 
and  constructing  our  batteries  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  till 
2nd  May,  when  our  second  breaching  battery  opened,  and  on 
4th  May,  at  7  a.m.,  I  reported  to  Commander-in-Chief  the  breach 
practicable.  At  1  p.m.  the  assault  took  place,  when  Tippoo  and 
his  empire  fell. 

"  If  I  have  derived  any  merit  in  the  conduct  of  this  siege,  I 
attribute  it  to  the  very  ready  support  and  assistance  I  received 
from  the  officers  of  the  Corps,  whose  activity,  zeal,  and  per- 
severance in  the  discharge  of  their  duty,  merit  my  warmest 
approbation  and  thanks ;  but  to  Captain  Norris  and  Captain 
Lieutenant  Caldwell,  I  am  more  particularly  indebted  for  the 
information  they  were  enabled  to  give  me  of  this  important 
fortress,  and  its  environs,  from  plans  and  memoranda  made  at 
the  siege  of  this  place  in  1792." 

Colonel  Gent  writes,  in  a  statement  of  services  of  Engineer 
officers,  that  Colin  Mackenzie  was  "  particularly  distinguished 


1799.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  327 

on  several  occasions,  and  his  skill  in  fixing  on  a  proper  spot  for 
an  enfilading  battery  at  Seringapatam,  under  very  adverse  cir- 
cumstances, was  eminently  conspicuous  ";  also  that  J.  L.  Cald- 
well "  distinguished  himself  by  the  aid  afforded  in  planning 
the  attack  on  Seringapatam,  by  his  active  exertions  during  the 
siege,  and  by  his  gallantry  at  the  assault,  where  he  was  severely 
wounded." 

After  the  siege,  Captain  William  McLeod  was  appointed  to 
superintend  the  police  of  the  fort,  and  also  to  have  charge  of 
the  revenue  business  of  neighbouring  districts.  Lieutenant 
Benjamin  Sydenham  of  the  Madras  Engineers,  and  Lieutenant 
Thomas  Mariott  were  appointed  his  assistants.  Ensign 
Eraser,  who  was  Adjutant  of  the  Engineers  at  the  siege,  was 
appointed  Engineer  and  Surveyor  to  detachment  under  Lieute- 
nant-Colonel Read,  and  Lieutenant  De  Havilland  still  under 
Lieutenant- Colonel  Brown,  was  directed  by  that  ofl&cer  to  report 
upon  the  Guzzlehutty  pass. 

Captain  Norris  was  appointed  Engineer  at  Seringapatam,  and 
three  or  four  months  later  Captain  Mackenzie  was  appointed 
to  superintend  a  Statistical  Survey  of  Mysore,  with  the  assistance 
of  Dr.  Heyne  and  Mr.  Mather. 

On  30th  June  1800,  General  Harris  wrote  to  Marquis  Corn- 
wallis  from  Manship,  Indiaman,  Cove  of  Cork  : — 

"  My  Lord, 

"  It  having  been  resolved  by  the  army  which  achieved 
the  conquest  of  Mysore,  to  request  your  lordship's  acceptance  of 
the  sword  and  war-turban  of  the  deceased  Tippoo  Sultan,  and 
also  the  sword  of  the  Mahratta  Chief,  Morari  Row  (who  after 
various  contests  became  prisoner  to  Hyder  Ally), — I  have  now 
the  honour,  in  the  name  and  by  the  desire  of  that  gallant  army, 
to  present  your  lordship  with  the  swords  and  turban. 

"  I  avail  myself  of  the  earliest  opportunity  of  forwarding  the 
swords  and  turban  by  Colonel  Gent,  whom  I  beg  leave  to  men- 
tion to  your  lordship,  as  an  officer  whose  conduct  in  the  charge 


328  MILITAET    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1799. 

of  the  Engineer  department  during  the  siege  of  Seringapatam, 
gave  me  the  highest  satisfaction,  and  I  have  to  regret  that 
urgent  domestic  concerns  have  compelled  me  to  forego  the 
honour  of  personally  waiting  upon  your  lordship  on  so  interest- 
ing an  occasion. 

"  I  have,  &c., 
(Signed)         "  G.  Harris." 

In  reply,  Lord  Cornwallis  wrote: — 

"  and  I  request  that  you  will  assure  them  (the  gallant  army) 
that  while  I  live  I  shall  most  gratefully  feel  the  high  honour 
which  they  have  conferred  upon  me  by  this  most  flattering  token 
of  their  remembrance  and  approbation." 

Shortly  after  the  siege,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Trapaud  obtained 
leave  to  the  Cape  and  Europe,  the  late  campaign  liaving  injured 
his  health. 

In  July,  Colonel  Wellesley,  who  was  commanding  at  Seringa- 
patam, applied  to  Captain  Norris  for  a  plan  of  the  place,  but 
the  latter,  pleading  the  orders  of  Government,  stated  tliat  he 
was  precluded  from  so  doing.  Colonel  Wellesley  appears  to 
have  been  very  angry  at  this,  as  he  reported  his  opinion  that 
Captain  Norris  was  not  a  fit  person  to  be  employed  as  engineer 
at  Seringapatam. 

The  Government,  however,  took  Captain  Norris's  view  of  the 
case,  and  supported  him  in  his  refusal. 

In  December,  Captain  Norris  applied  for  leave  to  proceed  to 
Europe  on  furlough.  The  Commander  in-Chief  observed  "  that 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Trapaud,  Captain  Lennon,  and  Lieutenant 
Wood,  of  Engineers,  were  absent  on  furlough,  and  Captain 
Bong  under  suspension,  which,  with  Captain  Forrest  (in  Ceylon) 
and  Captain-Lieutenant  Farquhar  (Malacca)  on  foreign  service, 
leaves  the  coast  ill-provided  with  officers  of  Engineers."  Strange 
to  say,  in  spite  of  the  protest  of  the  Commander-in-Chief, 
Captail  Norris  was  allowed  to  go. 

On  24th   September,   the  Commander-in-Chief  recommended 


1799.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  329 

that  a  committee  should  be  appointed  to  make  fresh  investiga- 
tion into  Captain  Bong's  case,  to  consist  of — 

Major-General  Ross,  Chief  Engineer. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Dyce. 
Major  Tredway  Clarke,  Artillery. 
Ma,ior  Arthur  Gibbings. 
Lieutenant  William  Castle,  Engineers. 

The  committee  recommended  him  favourably  to  Government 
in  consideration  of  his  sufferings,  and  state  that  "it  is  evident 
he  is  poor,  as  Mrs.  Bong  ^vas  left,  when  he  was  at  home,  very 
badly  off." 

They  think  it  ought  to  be  ascertained  what  repairs  have  been 
required  to  the  buildings  since. 

The  Commander-in-Chief,  however,  considered  him  "  unfit  for 
his  position  in  the  Engineers,  tbught  that  his  errors  did  not 
arise  from  any  corrupt  motives,  and  hence  would  recommend  a 
small  pension,  and  a  passage  to  England."  This  measure  seems 
very  hard,  considering  that  Captain  Bong  "had  served  sixteen 
years  in  the  Engineers,  without  complaint,"  as  he  states  in  his 
memorial. 

The  total  amount  of  prize  taken  at  Seringapatam  was 
91,]  1,396  rupees;  of  this,  one-seventh  was  reserved  for  the 
Company,  leaving  78,09,708  rupees  to  be  distributed. 

General  Harris,  as  Commander-in-Chief,  got  one-eighth  of  this 
— 3,24,907  pagodas,  or  nearly  ten  lacs  of  rupees. 

Generals  Floyd  and  Stuart  got  36,000  pagodas,  and  Major- 
Generals  got  27,000  pagodas,  each. 

Below  is  given  the  G.  0.  G.,  6th  July  1808,  which  refers  to 
the  medal  for  Seringapatam  : — 

"  Some  time  ago  we  caused  a  medal  to  be  executed  by  one  of 
the  most  eminent  artists  in  this  country,  in  commemoration  of 
the  brilliant  success  of  the  British  arms  in  Mysore  1799,  for  dis- 
tribution amongst  the  officers  and  soldiers  (European  and  Native) 
employed  on  that  glorious  occasion.     On  one  side  of  it  is  repre- 


330  MILITARY    HISTORY   OF    THE  [1799. 

sented  the  storming  the  breach  of  Seringapatam,  from  an  actual 
drawing  taken  on  the  spot,  with  the  meridian  sun  denoting  the 
time  of  the  storm,  with  the  following  inscription  in  Persian  under- 
neath :  '  The  Fort  of  Seringapatam,  the  Gift  of  God,  the  4th  May 
1799.'  On  the  reverse  side  is  the  British  Lion  subduing  the 
Tiger,  the  emblem  of  the  late  Tippon  Sultan's  Government,  with 
the  period  when  it  was  eflFeoted,  and  the  following  words  in 
Arabic  on  the  banner  :  '  Assudalla  al  ghaulib ' ;  signifying 
'The  Lion  of  God  is  the  Concjueror,'  or  '  The  Conquering  Lion 
of  God.' 

"  Of  these  medals,  gold  ones  have  been  struck  for  His  Majesty ; 
the  Right  Honourable  Lord  Melville ;  the  Governors  in  India  at 
the  time  ;  Marquis  Cornwallis  ;  the  Nizam  and  his  two  ministers  ; 
the  Nabobs  of  Arcot  and  Oude,  and  the  Rajahs  of  Travancore, 
Tanjore,  Mysore,  Coorg,  Berar  ;  Dowlut  Row  Scindiah  ;  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief; officers  on  the  StaflF  employed  on  the  service; 
and  for  the  Oriental  Museum.  Silver-gilt  for  the  Members  of 
Council  at  the  three  Presidencies,  the  Residents,  and  General 
StafiF  on  service.  Silver  for  the  captains  and  subalterns  on  the 
service  ;  copper  bronze  for  the  non-commissioned  officers  ;  and 
pure-grain  tin  for  the  privates. 

"We  have  estimated  the  army  employed  before  Seringapatam 
at  51,000,  exclusive  of  general  officers,  but  including  all  others, 
and  an  equal  number  of  the  medals  must  have  been  struck,  and 
there  are  now  forwarded  to  your  Presidency  four  gold  medals,  to 
be  presented  to  the  Nobob  of  Arcot,  the  Rajahs  of  Tanjore, 
Travancore,  and  Coorg. 

"  The  medals  for  the  late  Governor  of  Madras,  for  Generals 
Stuart  and  Bridges,  and  the  late  Generals  Braithwaite  and 
Hartley,  have  been  presented  here,  and  as  all  the  remaining 
general  officers  employed  in  the  expedition  are  in  this  country, 
they  will  receive  the  medal  here. 

"  One^hundred  silver-gilt  medals,  for  the  Members  of  Council 
in  May  1799,  for  the  Residents  at  Hydrabad  and  Poona  at  the 


1799.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  331 

same  period,  and  for  the  Feld  Officers  and  General  Staff  of  the 
army  employed  on  the  expedition,  have  been  forwarded  to  your 
Presidency  for  distribution  The  calculation  is  formed  on  the 
returns  sent  in  by  the  Adjutant- General  in  1800,  from  which  the 
number  of  the  Staff  entitled  to  be  considered  as  field  officers 
had  been  computed  at  forty-two  ;  but  you  will  determine  on  the 
accuracy  of  this  calculation. 

"  These  were  forwarded  by  the  Albion  in  September  1805. 


332  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1799, 


CHAPTER    XII. 

Wnstara. — Arrakerry,  stronghold  of  the  Rajah  of  Bellum. — Chitteldroog. — 
Dhoondiah  Waug. — Blair  and  Garrard  ordered  to  survey  Forts  on  northern 
frontier  of  Mysore. — Dhoondiah. — Koondgul  stormed. — Dummul  stormed. — 
Dhoondiah  encamps  near  Soondooty. — Wellesley  surprises  Dhoondiah  at 
Manowly,  and  captures  his  baggage. — Wellesley  moves  to  Kittoor. — Detach- 
ment sent  against  Pychy  Raja  in  Wynaad  and  Malabar. — Poligar  War. — 
Repulsed  from  Pundalumeoorchy  with  heavy  loss. — Pioneers  attacked  by 
the  enemy. — Pioneers  exposed  without  arms  or  any  protection. — Heitland, 
of  Pioneers,  woiinded. — Force  reaches  Sberewele. — Calhacoil  Pagoda. — 
Attempt  to  reach  Calhacoil  from  Sherewele  side  abandoned. — A  new  chief 
set  up  in  place  of  the  Murdoos. — Fresh  attempt  on  Calliacoil. — Thanks  of 
Government. — Wellesley  marches  against  Rajah  of  Bullum. 

Towards  the  end  of  August  1799,  Captain  John  Malcolm  was 
ordered  to  march  with  his  battalion  towards  Wustara,  in  order 
to  obtain  possession  of  the  fort  of  Munjerabad,*  on  the  other 
side  of  the  Hemavutty. 

On  8th  September,  Malcolm  sent  for  reinforcements,  and 
on  the  11th,  the  reinforcements  were  despatched  by  Colonel 
Wellesley. 

Pioneers  accompanied  this  reinforcement,  and  Lieutenant 
Davies  commanded  them  The  expedition  was  successful,  with- 
out the  necessity  of  resorting  to  force,  although  every  preparation 
had  been  made  for  escalading  the  fort,  and  bursting  open  the 
gates. 

*  Thirty-five  miles  north  of  Mercara.  and  about  seventy  miles  north-west 
of   Seringapatam, 


1800.)  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  333 

lu  April  1800,  a  detuchuieiit  of  Pioneers  accompanied  a  lield- 
force  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Montresor, 
77th,  to  attack  the  stronghold  of  the  Rajah  of  Bullum  at 
Arrakerry. 

Colonel  Tolfrey  had  been  defeated  by  Kistnapah  Naig,  at 
Arrakerry,  two  or  three  miles  south-east  of  Munjerabad,  and  that 
Chief  had  occupied  all  the  barriers  between  Munjerabad  and 
Hoscotta,  a  distance  of  nine  or  ten  miles. 

On  29th  April,  Colonel  Montresor  reached  Munjerabad,  and 
the  "  next  morning,  after  leaving  his  equipage  and  stores  under 
the  protection  of  the  guns  of  that  fort,  and  of  the  Mysore 
Cavalry,  attacked  and  carried  Arrakerry,  dispersed  the  Poligar's 
adherents,  and  burnt  several  of  his  villages  and  magazines  of 
grain."  The  column  of  the  attack  consisted  of  the  flank  com 
panies  of  His  Majesty's  73rd  and  77th,  under  Captain  Mac- 
pherson,  three  companies  of  2nd  Battalion  of  3rd,  and  Grenadiers 
of  1st  and  12th  Native  Infantry,  led  by  Major  Capper,  with  a 
degree  of  spirit  and  gallantry  which  overcame  a  series  of 
obstacles  and  resistance  for  near  a  mile  and  a  half,  through 
a  most  intricate  country.  The  reserve,  under  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Tolfrey,  was  conducted  with  considerable  judgment. 
I  am  also  indebted  to  Captain  Colebrooke,  of  the  Guides,  for 
volunteering  his  services  in  the  line." 

The  country  was  a  dense  forest,  and  several  ranges  of  strong 
barriers  had  to  be  overcome.  Captain  Onslow  Grose,  of  the 
Pioneers,  was  killed  at  one  of  the  barriers,  and  was  thus  noticed 
in  Colonel  Montresor's  report  : — 

"  I  trust  I  may  be  permitted  to  express  a  sentiment  of 
gratitude  and  regret,  when  I  mention  that  gallant  and 
meritorious  officer.  Captain  Grose,  of  the  Pioneers,  who 
unfortunately  was  killed  early  in  the  day,  endeavouring  to  place 
some  ladders  at  one  of  the  barriers." 

And  Colonel  Wellesley  wrote  : — 

"  In    Captain    Grose,    who     was    unfortunately    killed,    the 


B34  MILITARY  HISTORY  OP   THE  [leoo. 

Honourable  Company  have  lost  a  gallant,  active  and  zealous 
officer,  who  will  be  lamented  by  his  whole  profession."* 

The  troops  on  this  service  received  the  thanks  of 
Commander-in-Chief,  and  of  Government,  in  orders  dated  8th 
and  12th  May  respectively. 

On  20th  June  1799,  as  soon  as  possible  after  the  capture  of 
Seringapatam,  a  force  was  despatched  under  Colonel  Dalrymple, 
agaiust  the  hill  fort  of  Chittledroog,  and  Lieutenant  Blair  and 
Ensign  Garrard,  of  the  Madras  Engineers,  were  ordered  to  accom- 
pany it.  On  the  arrival  of  the  force  before  the  place,  it  surren- 
dered. The  force  consisted  of  two  battalions  of  native  infantry 
and  one  regiment  of  cavalry.  The  Bengal  regiment,  of  the  contin- 
gent under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Grant,  joined  Dalrymple  at  Sera. 

We  now  come  to  the  operations  against  Dhoondiah  Waug. 
He  was  a  freebooter  who  had  been  confined  in  irons  by  Tippoo 
at  Seringapatam.  On  the  capture  of  Seringapatam,  he  was 
released  by  the  English.  He  took  the  direction  of  Bednore,  and 
laid  the  country  under  contribution  with  the  most  unrelenting 
cruelty.  At  length  a  light  corps  of  cavalry  and  native  infantry, 
under  command  of  Lieutenant- Colonel  Dalrymple,  moved 
against  him  from  Chittledroog  on  21st  July,  and  overtook   a 


*  Captain  Grose,  of  Pioneers,  was  the  son  of  Grose,  the  antiquary.  He  was 
remarkable  for  his  humour.  Having  had  occasion  to  make  some  communication 
to  head-quarters,  he  was  told  by  one  of  the  officials  that  no  verbal  communica- 
tions could  be  received,  but  that  what  he  had  to  say  must  be  sent  through  the 
medium  of  an  official  letter.  Some  days  after,  he  had  a  party  dining  with  him, 
and  among  others  a  few  of  the  staff.  In  the  midst  of  dinner  a  jackass  came 
running  among  the  tent-ropes,  and  began  to  bray.  Grose  at  once  rose  and 
addressed  the  intruder.  "  I  presume,  sir,  you  come  from  head-quarters.  I 
receive  no  verbal  communications  whatever,  sir.  If  you  have  anything  to  say  to 
me,  sir,  I  beg  you  will  commit  it  to  paper."  The  will  which  he  made  the  night 
before  the  storming  of  Arrakerry,  under  a  presentiment  of  his  fate,  was  quite  in 
character.  "  Oh,  my  nose,"  (Ominous),  and  among  other  bequests  contained  the 
present  of  a  wooden  sword  to  an  officer  of  rank  to  whom  he  bore  no  goodwill, 
and  who  was  supposed  not  to  be  endowed  with  any  superfluous  quaUty  of 
personal  valour.  He  was  shot  dead  in  the  act  of  planting  a  ladder  against  an 
inner  barrier  at  Arrakerry 


1800.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  33 

party  of  his  banditti,  which  was  dispersed  with  some  slaughter, 
no  quarter  being  granted.  Dhoondiah  crossed  the  Toonga- 
boodra.  Hurryhur  was  taken  on  the  30th  July,  by  a  division 
of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Dalrymple's  detachment.  Meantime, 
Colonel  Stevenson  was  advancing  into  Bednore  in  another 
direction,  at  the  head  of  a  light  force. 

On  the  3 1st,  Colonel  Stevenson  crossed  the  Toongaboodra, 
and  took  Simoga  by  assault  on  8th  August.  On  the  same  day  the 
fort  of  Hoonelly  was  taken  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Dalrymple. 

There  was  great  difficulty  experienced  in  crossing  the 
Toongaboodra,  which  was  quite  full,  and  running  a  most  rapid 
stream.  The  activity  of  the  engineer  department,  aided  by  the 
labours  of  the  pioneers,  soon  furnished  the  means  of  passing  over, 
on  which  occasion  the  engineer  officers  (Blair  and  Garrard), 
perceiving  the  comparative  inefficiency  of  the  common  round 
basket-boats,  had  a  barge  of  bamboo-work  constructed,  and 
covered  with  raw  hides,  to  which  a  sail,  mast,  and  rudder 
being  affixed.  Ensign  Garrard  volunteered  to  steer  it  across, 
laden  with  a  mounted  6-pounder,  complete  in  all  its  parts,  some 
gunners,  lascars,  and  others. 

This  hazardous  undertaking  succeeded  completely,  and  the 
barge  made  several  expeditions  across.  The  battery,  which  was 
constructed  immediately  opposite  the  fort,  did  such  good  work, 
that  when  the  escalade  took  place  it  was  found  to  be  entirely 
abandoned  by  the  garrison.  Both  detachments  having  effected 
the  passage  of  Toongaboodra,  it  was  determined  to  make  a 
combined  attack  on  camp  of  Dhoondiah  at  Shikarpore. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Dalrymple  made  a  night  march  of  twenty-five 
miles  to  Shikarpore  on  the  16th,  and  next  morning  an  action  took 
place  close  to  the  walls.  Dhoondiah's  cavalry  was  charged,  and 
driven  into  a  river  in  their  rear ;  the  gate  was  blown  open,  and 
the  infantry  carried  Shikarpore  by  assault.  Dhoondiah  escaped 
in  a  boat. 

Colonel  Stevenson,  the  progress    of  whose  detachment   had 


336  MILITARY    HISTORY   OF    THE  [1800. 

been  slow,  owing  to  ditiiuult  roads,  uow  assumed,  as  senior 
oflficer,  the  command  of  the  united  detachments,  and  pursued 
Dhoondiah  so  closely  as  to  compel  him  to  take  refuge  in 
Mahratta  territory  (during  this  pursuit  the  force  marched  fifty- 
nine  miles),  where  Colonel  Stevenson  on  the  ^Oth  August  saw 
him  encamped  with  the  remainder  of  his  banditti.  He  might 
easily  have  destroyed  them,  but  the  Governor- General  had 
strictly  prohibited  violation  of  the  Mahratta  territory,  and 
Colonel  Stevenson  halted  his  detachment  on  the  boundary,  and 
informed  the  Mahratta  officer  why  he  did  so.  Dhoondiah's 
camp  was  plundered  a  few  hours  afterwards  by  the  Mahrattas, 
and  his  elephants,  camels,  bullocks,  and  guns  carried  ofi',  which 
deprived  him  for  the  time  of  all  means  of  depredations. 

On  the  return  of  this  force,  Lieutenant  Blair  and  Ensign 
Garrard  were  ordered  by  General  Wellesley  to  proceed  to  the 
nortliern  frontier  of  Mysore,  for  the  purpose  of  visiting  and 
surveying  six  forts,  as  well  as  to  prepare  a  sketch  survey  and 
report  of  that  part  of  the  country  in  general.  The  unhealthy 
season  had  set  in,  the  greater  part  of  the  country  was  an 
impenetrable  jungle,  the  roads  of  the  very  worst  description,  and 
in  many  places  quite  impassable  ^until  much  labour  had  been 
bestowed  on  them.  Both  Blair  and  Garrard  suffered  from 
jungle  fever;  they  were  destitute  both  of  medicine,  and  medical 
aid,  in  a  part  of  the  countryjnever  before  explored  by  Europeans, 
and  their  followers  were  dying  last  around  them.  The  force  with 
them  consisted  merely  of  a  jemadar's  guard  ;  yet,  notwithstanding 
all  these  disadvantages,  they  performed  all  the  duties  required 
of  them.  They  surveyed,  and  completed  drawings  and  reports 
of  four  of  the  forts  (the  other  two  were  found  to  be  completely 
demolished).  On  their  return  to  Chittledroog  quite  worn  out  by 
sickness,  they  were  gratified  by  the  receipt  of  a  letter  of  praise 
from  General  Wellesley  for  their  services.  Garrard  was  ordered 
to  Fort  St.  George  ;  but  on  arrival  at  Bangalore  was  so  ill,  that  he 
could  not  proceed,  and  was  received  into  the   house  of  Colonel 


1800.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  337 

Campbell  (afterwards  Sir  Alexander  Campbell,  Commander-in- 
Chief  at  Madras),  who  commanded.  On  his  arrival  at  Madras, 
Major-General  Ross,  in  consideration  of  his  services,  appointed 
Garrard  adjutant  of  Engineers  ;  but  he  only  enjoyed  this  for  a  short 
time,  as  the  jungle  fever  would  not  quit  him,  and  in  July  LSOO 
he  was  obliged  to  return  to  England. 

Whilst  in  England,  an  invasion  from  France  being  appre- 
hended, he  applied,  to  the  Court  of  Directors  for  pm'mission  to 
offer  his  services  to  Government  This  was  at  once  granted, 
with  the  expression  of  the  Court's  high  approbation  of  his 
employing  the  remaining  period  of  his  furlough  in  "  so  spirited 
and  patriotic  a  manner."  He  accordingly  made  the  offer  to  Eord 
Sidmouth,  one  of  H.M.'s  Ministers,  and  received  an  assurance 
that  it  should  be  accepted  if  the  invasion  was  attempted  ;  but 
the  Peace  of  Amiens  followed  almost  immediately  afterwards. 

Lieutenant  Blair  did  not  suffer  so  severely  from  fever,  and  was 
employed  till  the  close  of  179')  in  the  province  of  Soonda,  which 
had  lately  been  transferred  to  the  British  Government,  and 
annexed  to  the  jurisdiction  of  Canara. 

Early  next  year  Dhoondiah  again  began  to  make  himself 
troublesome.  In  May  IHOO  he  was  reported  to  have  got 
possession  of  Dummul,  and  to  be  advancing  on  Havanoor  in  the 
Savanore  country,  [about  two  coss  from  Oollaill.  In  June, 
JJhoondiah  got  possession  of  Savanore. 

On  1 6th  June,  the  largest  body  of  his  troops  were  at 
Savanore,  and  nearly  every  fort  and  stronghold  on  both  sides 
of  the  Wurda  were  held  by  his  garrisons. 

Colonel  Wellesley  marched  against  him  with  two  brigades  of 
cavalry,  consisting  of  H.M.'s  19th  and  25th  Light  Dragoons 
and  1  St,  2nd,  and  4th  Native  Cavalry;  three  of  infantry,  con- 
sisting of  H.M.'s  73rd  and  77th,  1st,  .*^th,  and  12th,  and  2nd  of 
4th  Madras  Native  Infantry,  together  with  2nd  of  2nd,  and  1st 
of  4th  Bombay  Native  Infantry,  besides  a  body  of  Pioneers 
under   Captain  Heitland. 

22 


338  MILITAEY   HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1800. 


Colonel  Stevenson  commanded  the  cavalry. 

On  16th  June,  Colonel  Wellesley's  force  was  at  Hurryhur. 
Owing  to  a  rise  in  the  river,  the  crossing  was  much  delayed,  but 
by  the  24th  everything  had  been  passed  over. 

Fifty  pioneers  preceded  the  park  and  heavy  carriages,  and 
attended  to  the  road.  Twenty  pioneers  accompanied  the  2nd 
Native  Cavalry,  while  the  remainder  were  with  the  advance, 
and  the  line,  in  proportions  arranged  by  Captain  Heitland. 

On  the  27th,  Colonel  Wellesley  arrived  at  Ranee  Bednore. 
The  cavalry  were  fired  on  from  the  fort,  and  the  place  was  at 
once  escaladed  by  fifty  Europeans,  and  150  Natives  as  the  ad- 
vance party,  with  1st  battalion  of  1st  Native  Infantry  as  a  support. 

The  cavalry  under  Stevenson  completely  surrounded  the  fort, 
so  that  the  retreat  of  garrison  was  impossible. 

The  greater  part  of  the  garrison  (500  men)  were  put  to  death. 
We  did  not  lose  a  man. 

On  the  29th,  Colonel  Stevenson  went  oil"  towards  Mussoor, 
and  Shikarpore,  to  clear  the  south  side  of  the  river.  After  the 
capture  of  Ranee  Bednore,  all  Dhoondiah's  troops  were  with- 
drawn to  north  of  the  Wurda,  he  himself  being  near  Dharwar 
with  his  army. 

At  this  time,  Dhoondiah  defeated  Gokla  the  Mahratta  chief, 
and  a  great  part  of  the  Mahratta  army  was  now  under  the  walls 
of  Hullihall,  about  twenty  miles  east  by  south  of  Dharwar. 

Wellesley  was  at  first  unable  to  move  for  want  of  grain ;  but 
by  10th  July  he  had  crossed  the  Wurda  by  a  bridge  of  boats. 
Horses,  bandies,  and  even  camels  crossed  without  difficulty  ;  but 
the  followers  rushed  on  it  in  such  numbers,  and  were  so  little 
subject  to  regulation,  that  they  sunk  several  boats,  and  the 
bridge  had  to  be  partially  rebuilt  before  the  two  last  regiments 
of  cavalry  could  be  got  over. 

Dhoondiah,  two  days  before,  was  at  Gurry,  four  coss  beyond 
Dharwar. 

On  i  2th  July,  Wellesley  marched  to  Savanore. 


1800.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  839 

A  redoubt  was  built  on  the  bank  of  the  Wurda.  Wellesley 
left  the  Pioneers,  two  companies  of  Bombay  Infantry  (with  two 
J2-pounders  and  two  6-pounders)  to  complete  it,  and  when  this 
was  done  one  company  of  Bombay  Infantry  wus  left  as  a  garrison. 
Wellesley  had  now  only  two  iron  12-pounders. 

The  next  day,  Dhoondiah  was  known  to  be  at  Koondgul, 
twenty-two  miles  distant.  On  the  same  day  Dlioondiah  came, 
with  his  whole  army  and  guns,  lo  within  about  two  coss.  He 
examined  the  p(;sition,  and  then  returned  towards  Koondgul. 
Wellesley  threw  his  baggage  into  Savanore  on  morning  of  l4th, 
and  marched  wit  i  five  days'  provisions  to  Koondgul.  Dhoondiah 
went  off  six  coss  to  Carwah  on  night  of  the  13th.  He  left  a 
garrison  of  600  men  in  Koondgul,  wliich  was  surrounded  and 
stormed  on  evening  of  the  i4th,  with  but  slight  loss  to  us. 

The  troops  had  marched  twenty-two  miles,  and  had  been 
twelve  hours  under  arms. 

On  the  loth,  the  army  marched  seventeen  miles  east  to  Luck- 
maiser,  which  was  evacuated. 

On  the  16th,  they  marched  about  twelve  miles  north-east  to 
Sirhutty.  By  this  time,  iJhoondiah  was  in  the  jungles  behind 
Dummul,  and  already  his  people  had  begun  to  desert  him. 

By  the  Ibth,  Wellesley  had  returned  to  ISavanore. 

On  the  lyth,  he  was  joined  by  Gokla's  cavalry.  Uuriug  the 
few  days  he  was  at  tjavanore  he  lost  about  half  his  cattle.  He, 
however,  managed  to  "crawl"'  to  Luckmaiser  on  2'6rd  July, 
aud  there  got  fresh  bullocks,  and  was  able  to  get  on  again. 

On  the  25th  he  was  at  ISirhutty,  and  was  joined  while  on  the 
march  by  l,-")00  cavalry  under  Chintamonuy  liow. 

Colonel  Bowser  was  at  Kanagherry  on  the  20th,  and  was 
ordered  to  join  Wellesley  at  Dummul  on  the  26th. 

The  next  day  Wellesley  stormed  Dummul.  It  was  attacked 
in  three  placi-s — at  the  gateway,  and  on  two  laces.  It  was 
impossible  to  force  the  gateway,  and  the  pariy  oi»  that  attack 
entered    the    fort    by    escalade.      The    othei    at^icks    succeeded 

22  • 


340  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [I800. 

nearly  at  the  same  time,  and  the  fort  was  carried  with  a  trifling 
loss,  which  was  attributed  chiefly  to  the  eagerness  of  the  soldiers 
to  get  upon  the  ladders,  which  caused  some  to  break.  There 
were  about  1,000  men  in  the  fort.  The  fort  was  strong  and 
well-built,  the  wall  about  thirty  feet  high,  with  a  dry  ditch,  in 
some  places  of  considerable  depth.  It  had  held  out  against 
Dhoondiah  for  several  weeks. 

Wellesley,  in  his  letter  to  the  Adjutant-General,  says  : — "  I 
cannot  say  too  much  in  favour  of  the  troops,  who  by  this  exploit 
have  added  to  the  reputation  which  they  have  already  gained  in 
this  country.  I  must  particularly  mention  to  the  Commander- 
in-Chief,  however.  Colonel  Stevenson  (who  surrounded  the  fort 
with  the  cavalry),  Lieutenant-Colonel  Capper,  Major  Dease,  and 
Captain  Macpherson  of  77th  (who  led  the  three  attacks),  Lieu- 
tenant Hooper  of  73rd,  and  Captain  Heitland  and  his  Corps  of 
Pioneers." 

From  Dummul,  Wellesley  marched  north-west  to  Gudduck  on 
his  way  to  the  Malpurba,  ordering  Lieutenant-Colonel  Bowser 
to  follow  him  as  soon  as  possible.  Gudduck  was  evacuated  as 
soon  as  Dummul  fell,  and  Dhoondiah  had  now  no  stronghold  in 
the  country.  He  was  now  encamped  near  Soondootty,  west,  of 
Pureshghur  Hill,  his  object  being  to  cover  the  passage  of  his 
baggage  over  the  Malpurba  at  Manowly.  Wellesley  accordingly 
moved,  and  arrived  on  29th  at  Allagawaddy,  fifteen  miles  from 
Soondootty.  He  at  first  intended  to  halt  till  the  31st  for  the 
expected  arrival  of  Colonel  Bowser  ;  but  Dhoondiah  broke 
up  from  Soondootty,  sent  part  of  his  army  to  Doodwar,  part 
towards  Jellahal,  and  part  with  baggage  to  right  of  Malpurba. 

On  morning  of  the  30th,  Wellesley  marched  to  Hoogurpoor, 
east  of  Pureshghur  Hill,  where  he  learnt  that  Dhoondiah  was  at 
Vlanowly  on  the  Malpurba,  and  he  determined  to  move  on  and 
<>ttqck  him.  Dhoondiah's  camp  was  strong,  with  its  rear  to  the 
Malpurba,  covered  by  fort  of  Manowly  on  the  other  side  of  it 
and  a  deep  nullah  along  its  front  and  left.     Wellesley  surprised 


ifW.l  MADKAS    ENGINEERS.  311 

his  camp  at  3  p.m.,  drove  into  the  river  or  destroyed  everybodv 
in  it,  and  took  two  elephants,  many  camels,  bullocks,  horses,  &c., 
families,  women  and  children.  The  guns,  however,  got  over; 
numbers  of  the  enemy  were  drowned.  Wellesley  managed 
eventually  to  take  the  guns  (six  in  number). 

He  ordered  some  of  the  Europeans*  to  swim  over  to  seize  a 
boat,  and  the  boat  and  guns  were  readily  captured. 

Dhoondiah's  baggage  was  also  taken,  and  about  .o,000 
people  driven  into  the  Malpurba,  and  very  many  drowned. 

On  1st  August,  Wellesley  saw  Lieutenant-Colonel  Bowser, 
who  was  at  Hoogurghur,  within  five  miles  of  Soondootty.  His 
absence  from  this  expedition  was  attributed  to  remissness  of  one 
of  Wellesley's  messengers.  Colonel  Bowser  ought  to  have 
receiveil  Wellesley's  letters  on  the  25th,  and  would  in  that  case 
have  been  at  the  storm  of  Dummul,  and  in  action  of  the  30th  ; 
but  he  did  not  receive  them  till  night  of  the  '^fUh,  and  could  not 
reach  Dummul  till  the  28th. 

On  oth  August,  Wellesley  was  at  Kittoor  when  Dhoondiab 
had  gone  quite  into  the  jungles  at  the  sources  of  the  .Malpurba. 
A  detachment  from  Colonel  Stevenson's  corps  followed  his  track. 
Wellesley  halted  at  Kittoor  to  construct  boats,  as  it  was  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  bamboo  jungles,  as  well  as  near  Dharwar, 
where  he  could  get  hides.  He  proposed  to  have  a  com- 
munication across  the  river  at  Sungoly,  three  coss  from 
Kittoor. 

On  the  Ifith,  we  learn  that  Dhoondiah  had  continued  his 
progress  to  the  north,  and  tried  to  get  possession  of  Shawpoor 
and  Gokank,  but  failed. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Bowser  was  at  Shawpoor  on  1 6th. 

On  the  night  of  the  21th,  Dhoondiah  escaped  across  the 
Malpurba  at  Boodyhaul,  a  little  above  its  junction  with  the 
Kistna,  and  went  towards  the  Nizam's  country. 

*  LieutonantH  Fitohet  and  .lackson,  with  some  men  of  T^rd  and  77th. 


342  MILITAEY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1800. 

riolonel  Stevenson  arrived  at  Boodyhaul  on  the  28th,  and 
crossed  the  river. 

On  the  29th,  Wellesley  crossed  at  Jelluhal,  some  twenty  miles 
higher  up. 

On  the  7th  September,  Wellesley  was  at  Kanagherry,  twenty 
miles  north-west  of  the  Toomboodra,  and  Stevenson  at  Mood- 
gal,  thirty-two  miles  north  of  Kanagherry. 

Next  day,  Wellesley  moved  with  cavalry  to  Buswapoor,  seven 
miles  north-west  of  ('hinnoor,  and  on  the  9th  to  Yepulpuroy, 
thirteen  miles  north-east  of  Chinnoor,  on  road  to  Bhunoor,*  the 
infantry  being  at  Nowly,  ten  miles  in  front  north-east  of 
Kanagherry,  and  Chinnoor  fifteen  miles  in  the  rear. 

It  appeared  probable  to  Wellesley  that  when  Dhoondiah  was 
pressed  by  the  whole  of  our  force  on  north  side  of  the  Do-ab, 
he  would  return  into  Savanore  by  Kanagherry.  So  he  brought 
his  detachment  to  Kanagherry,  while  Stevenson  was  to  move  by 
Moodgal  and  Moosky,  twelve  to  tweutv  miles  from  the  Kistna,  with 
the  Mahrattas  and  Mogul  cavalry  between  the  two  detachments. 

On  the  9th  Dhoondiah  moved  from  Mudgherry.f  a  place 
twenty-five  miles  fi'om  Raichore,  towards  the  Kistna;  but  having 
seen  Stevenson's  camp  on  his  road,  returned,  and  camped  nine 
miles  in  Wellesley's  front  between  him  and  Bhunoor.  He 
supposed  Wellesley  was  at  Chinnoor.  Wellesl^v  moved  forward 
on  evening  of  the  10th,  and  met  his  army  at  a  place  called 
Conahgull,  six  miles  from  Yepulpuroy.  He  was  on  his  march 
to  the  west,  and  had  only  about  5,000  cavalry,  which  Wellesley 
immediately  attacked  with  19th  and  25th  Dragoons,  and  1st  and 
2nd  Regiment  of  Cavalry. 

The  enemy  was  strongly  posted,  with  his  rear  and  left  flank 
covered  by  village  and  rock  of  Conahgull,  and  stood  for  some 
time  with  apparent  firmness  ;  but  such  was  the  rapidity  and 
determination  of  the  charge,  that  the  whole  gave  way,  and  were 

*  Sixteen  miles  in  front  north-east  of  Nowly. 
t  Seven  miles  north  of  Bhunoor, 


l«00.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  348 

pur&ucd  lor  many  Uiiles.  Mauy  (umoug  uiLicib  JJhuuuJiali)  were 
killed,  and  the  whole  body  dispersed.  All  the  enemy's  baggage 
was  taken  in  his  carnp,  three  miles  from  Conahgull. 

On  the  lUth,  near  Deodroog.  Colonel  Stevenson  came  up  with 
tiie  only  two  remaining  guns  the  enemy  had,  as  well  as  a 
quantity  of  baggage,  camels,  bullocks.  He  took  the  guns,  &c. 
and  dispersed  or  destroyed  the  whole  force,  and  the  campaign 
was  brought  to  a  close.  Wellesley  tendered  his  thanks  to 
Colonel  Stevenson,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Bowser,  and  to  the 
troops  under  their  orders. 

The  troops  employed  received  the  thanks  of  the  Governor- 
Generai  in  Council,  as  well  as  those  of  the  Madras  Government. 
In  thn  beginning  of  LsOO,  a  strong  detachment  was  to  be 
sent  into  the  Wynaad  and  Malabar  against  the  Pychy  Raja  ;  but 
it  did  not  move  till  late  in  the  year,  when  Colonel  Stevenson  took 
the  command  The  service  was  very  severe,  and  was  not  con- 
cluded till  May  1801,  when  Colonel  Stevenson  and  his  troops 
received  the  thanks  of  Government. 

The  I'ioneers  suffered  much  from  fever  contracted  in  the 
jungles,  and  large  numbers  of  them  were  thereby  rendered  unfit 
for  duty.  Those  who  recovered  were  sent  to  the  soutii,  under 
Captain  Heitland,  to  join  the  force  under  Colonel  Agnew,  then 
employed  against  the  Poligars  in  Tinnevelly. 

On  '^nd  February,  while  the  force  in  Tinnevelly  was  can- 
toned at  Shankemacoil,  thirty  miles  north-west  of  Palamcottah, 
and  about  twenty  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  the  force  were  dining 
with  Major  Macaiilay  (the  Resident),  at  Palamcottah,  a  number 
of  Poligar  prisoners  confined  in  the  fort  overpowered  the  guards, 
and  made  ofi"  for  Pundalumcoorchy 

Next  day  our  troops  marched  to  Kytar,  and  then  to  Punda- 
lumcoorchv,  but  finding  the  fort  raised  again,  and  well  manned 
with  several  thousand  Poligars,  they  retreated  to  Pahimeoltah. 
The  force  was  without  any  battering  guns,  and  had  no  Euro- 
peans to  lead  a  storming  party. 


344  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1800. 

The  force  was  harassed  on  its  way  hy  the  Poligars,  but 
reached  Palamcottah  on  10th  February  They  remained  there 
till  the  27th,  receiving  reinforcements,  when  a  small  detachment 
was  sent  to  take  Cadulgoody.  The  Poligars  heard  of  this,  and 
sent  2,000  men  to  reinforce  the  garrison  ;  and  our  detachment, 
after  every  exertion  that  bravery  and  discipline  could'  oppose  to 
numbers,  were  compelled  to  retreat  with  loss  of  three  killed 
and  eighteen  wounded. 

The  Chief  of  the  Poligai:s,  Cataboraanaig,  had  defended  the 
fort  of  Pundalnmcoorchy  against  Colonel  Bannerman,  two  years 
before;  but  at  length  was  taken  prisoner,  with  his  family,  kept 
in  confinement,  and  the  fort  razed.  This  treatment  was  not 
calculated  to  conciliate  a  high-spirited  people,  and  they  now 
again  broke  out,  and  for  a  time  bore  all  before  them. 

On  3rd  March,  our  detachment  went  to  Kytar  (twenty  one 
miles),  and  took  up  ground  to  allow  of  reinforcements  joining 
us  Several  of  our  small  posts  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy ;  but  the  Streevigoondum  Pagoda,  slightly  fortified 
(fifteen  miles  below  Palamcottah),  held  out  beyond  expectation. 

The  Poligars  beset  them  on  all  sides,  ^^a;jor  Sheppard  and 
two  0-pounders,  marched  to  their  relief.  He  arrived  at  Palam- 
cottah on  the  13th,  left  his  heavy  baggage,  and  on  16th  came 
in  sight  of  the  Pagoda  *  He  was  immediately  attacked  by 
swarms  of  the  enemy,  but  Sheppard  forced  his  way  across,  and 
the  garrison  was  withdrawn.  On  the  way  back  to  Palamcottah 
they  were  annoyed  the  whole  time  by  the  enemy. 

On  27th  March,  the  battalion  and  stores  reached  Kytar,  and 
the  force  now  consisted  of — 

A  detachment  Pioneers  under  Lieutenant  Bagshaw.f 

,,  Bengal  Artillery. 

2  companies  74th. 


*  On  opposite  side  of  river. 

f  Lieutenant  Bradley,  of  Engineers,  was  the  engineer  with  this  force, 


iftOO]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  345 

1  troop  Governor's  Body-Guard. 

1       ,,      1st  Native  Cavalry. 

1st  battalion    3rd  Native  Infantry. 

5  companies     4th  ,, 

6  „  I4th 
3         „  9th 

1  „  IGth 
3         „  13th 

2  6-pounders  and  2  4-pounders,  field -pieces. 

2  12-pounders  and  1   18-pounder,  2  5  -inch  howitzers. 

Altogether,  about  3,000  men,  under  the  command  of  .Major 
Colin  Macaulay,  Resident  of  Travancore. 

It  marched  to  Wootranpetty  and  Peshavanthully,  and  on  31st 
March  advanced  to  Pundalumcoorchy.  On  the  march  we  were 
met  by  500  or  600  of  the  enemy,  who  boldly  advanced.  The 
cavalrv,  ninety  men,  at  once  charged  them,  led  by  Lieutenant 
.Tames  Grant.  They  retired  leisurely,  keeping  u^)  a  running 
fight.  When  they  were  charged  they  halted,  and  faced  about 
but  they  were  soon  overborne.  Lieutenant  Grant  fell  wounded, 
and  his  Subadar,  Shaik  Ebram,  and  four  troopers  were  killed. 
Lieutenant  Lyne  lost  his  horse,  and  a  naigue*  and  eleven 
troopers  were  wounded.  Tlie  enemy  lost  ninety-six  killed, 
besides  a  number  wounded.  Arriving  at  8  a.m.,  preparations 
were  at  once  made  to  breach  the  north-west  bastion.  The  fort 
was  an  irregular  parallelogram,  500  feet  by  200  or  300  feet.  Wall 
twelve  feet  high,  with  square  bastions  and  short  curtains,  while 
the  whole  was  surrounded  by  a  thick  hedge  of  thorns,  but  there 
was  no  ditch.  An  attempt  was  made  to  breach  with  two 
12-pounders  and  one  18-pounder,  from  a  bank  900  yards 
distant ;  at  noon,  the  guns  were  moved  to  another  bank  400 
yards  from  the  walls,  and  at  half-past  3  the  breach  appeared 
practicable  The  assaulting  party  consisted  of  two  companies 
71th,  all  the  Native  Grenadiers,   and  a  company  of  3rd  Native 

•  A  corporal. 


346  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  ri8no. 

Infantry.  Tliey  succeeded  iu  p;issing  the  hedge,  but  repeated 
attempts  to  surmount  the  breach  failed,  and  at  length  a  retreat 
was  ordered. 

Our  loss  was  four  officers  and  forty-nine  men  killed,  and 
thirteen  officers  and  254  men  wounded.  A  camp  was  now 
formed  1,500  yards  from  the  fort.  Major  Macaulay  deter- 
mined to  blockade  the  place,  and  wait  for  reinforcements.  Until 
the  21st  May,  they  had  constant  skirmishes  with  the  Poligars, 
in  which  a  few  men  fell  on  both  sides,  and  our  pioneers,  &c., 
were  busily  employed  in  strengthening  our  outposts,  and  in 
raising  a  breastwork. 

On  22nd  April,  at  9  p.m.,  200  or  300  men  came  rushing  on 
the  line,  and  at  first  supposed  to  be  the  enemy,  were  nearly 
being  treated  accordingly,  when  they  were  discovered  to  be 
pioneers,  lascars,  &c.,  who  had  been  at  work  on  an  intended 
battery  about  450  yards  from  the  fort.  The  pioneers  had  been 
exposed  without  arms  or  any  protection,  had  been  assaulted 
in  the  battery,  and  their  sandbags,  &c.  carried  off  in  triumph. 

Major  Macaulay  next  day  made  a  strong  reconnaissance 
round  the  fort. 

On  21st  May,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Agnew  arrived  with  rein- 
forcements,*— 77th  Regiment,  a  company  of  artillery,  under  Sir 
John  Sinclair,  three  companies  1st  battalion  7th  Native  Infantry, 
four  companies  1st  battalion  18th,  with  four  18-pounders,  two 
5^-inch  and  two  4^-inch  howitzers,  1st  Regiment  Cavalry,  and 
150  Malays. 

On  the  22nd,  Colonel  Agnew  reconnoitred  the  fort  with 
Sir  John  Sinclair,  and  Lieutenant  Bradley,  of  Madras  Engi- 
neers, and  determined  on  our  post  on  tlie  south  bank  for  a 
breaching  battery. 

On  the  morning  of  23rd,  we  opened  two  batteries  at  once  on 
south-west  bastion,  one  breaching  with  two  12-pounder  and  two 

*  Captain  Heitland,  with  another  detachment  of  Pioneers,  was  also  with  this 
reinforcement, 


1800.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  347 

howitzers,  while  the  grand  battery  had  18-pounders.  This  fire 
soon  demolished  the  southern  face  and  angle  of  the  bastion. 
Firing  was  kept  up  all  night. 

On  the  Ji4th,  at  1  p.m.,  the  storming  party  was  ordered  to 
advance. 

Two  companies  74th. 
77th. 
Native  Grenadiers  of  3rd,  4th,  7th,  I3th,  and  14th. 
The  Malays. 
Detachment,  9th. 

The  breach  was  stoutly  defended,  so  that  it  was  half  an  hour 
before  a  man  could  stand  on  the  summit ;  after  another  half 
hour  our  grenadiers  succeeded  in  mounting,  and  resistance  after- 
wards was  of  no  avail.  A  panic  then  seized  the  enemy,  and 
they  fled  ;  but  after  getting  out  of  the  fort,  they  formed  up  into 
two  columns,  and  retreated.  Our  cavalry  attacked  them  ;  but 
2,000  men  made  good  their  retreat,  although  fully  000  were  cut 
off  by  the  cavalry.  Four  hundred  and  fifty  dead  bodies  were 
found  in  the  fort. 

Our  loss  was  heavy  :  Europeans,  19  killed,  and  76  wounded  ; 
Natives,  24  killed,  and  96  wounded;  total,  215.  Of  officers, 
4  were  killed,  and  5  wounded.  Three  companies  of  9th,  under 
Captain  Hazard,  were  left  with  the  Pioneers  to  destroy  the  fort. 

Colonel  Agnew,  in  his  report,  dated  25t!:  May  1801, 
remarks : — 

"  The  behaviour  of  Captain  Bagshaw,  and  his  able  arrange- 
ment of  the  Pioneers  during  the  attack,  attracted  the  particular 
notice  of  the  commanding  officers." 

On  28th  May,  the  whole  force  arrived  at  Naglepore,  twenty- 
six  miles.  On  2nd  June,  they  were  at  Trippoowanum,  forty-six 
miles  from  Naglecherry  ;  on  the  7th,  at  Tripachetty,  eight  miles 
and  a  half. 

This    day   thcv  had    a    severe   engagement   with   the    enemy. 


348  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [isoo. 

Major  Gray  was  killed,  and  four  lieutenants  wounded,  sixteen 
men  killed  and  thirty- five  wounded. 

On  10th  June,  having  made  three  easy  marches,  they  set  out 
through  a  very  strong  country,  having  the  river  on  their  left. 
Loss  on  this  march  was  severe  :  ten  Europeans  and  eighty-six 
Natives  killed  and  wounded  The  camp  was  now  near  Patianoor 
The  next  march  was  to  Permagoody,  eleven  miles. 

On  12th  June,  they  marched  to  Chatumarun,  twelve  miles. 

On  14th  June,  the  force  reached  Ptamnad,  halted  for  six  days, 
and  on  22nd  encamped  at  Comery,  twenty  miles  distant,  near  the 
east  hank  of  the  Palmery  river.  A  garrison  was  left  at  Comery, 
under  Lieutenant  Greaves.  Reached  Tricateanoor  on  2J:th  July, 
and  waited  to  be  joined  by  another  force,  under  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  James  Innes. 

On  evening  of  "^Sth,  heavy  firing  was  heard  to  the  north-west. 
A  strong  detachment  was  sent  out,  came  up  with  Colonel  Innes 
about  half-past  10,  and  found  him  engaged  with  the  enemy 
who  where  hanging  on  his  rear. 

They  were  driven  off.  Our  loss  this  day  was  twenty-one 
killed  and  wounded.  Amongst  the  wounded  was  Captain  Heit- 
land  of  the  Pioneers. 

On  the  28th,  the  force  marched  to  Ookoor,  when  the  enemy 
attacked  the  rear-gaard,  but  met  with  a  warm  reception. 

On  the  29th,  they  allowed  us  to  proceed  two  miles  without 
opposition,  after  which  we  had  to  manoeuvre  every  inch  of  the 
road. 

The  country  was  most  difficult,  banks  on  both  sides  within 
shot,  flanked  by  palmyra-trees  At  3  p.m.  we  took  possession  of 
a  line  of  banks  with  hedges  facing  Sherevele.  Our  loss  on  this 
march  :  thirty-six  killed  and  wounded. 

On  30th  July,  we  obtained  possession  of  Sherevele  after  a 
march  of  two  miles  and  three  quarters,  which  took  six  hours. 

*  The  fugitives  from  Punclalvuncoorchy  made  good  their  retreat  to  Sherevele, 
or  Serruvail, 


1800.]  MADBAS   EKQINEEKS.  319 

On  the  31st,  we  commenced  our  operations  through  Sherevele 
or  Calliacoil  jungle,  one  of  the  thickest  and  most  impenetrable 
in  the  Carnatic. 

Our  camp  remained  in  front  of  Shereveie  from  30th  July  to 
2nd  September  1801,  during  which  time  the  pioneers  had 
constant  laborious  work.  On  the  first  day  the  pioneers  and 
woodcutters  cut  a  broad  road  one  mile  and  a  half  in  the  direction 
of  CaUiacoil,  Next  day  they  cut  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  and 
the  third  day  600  yards,  being  all  the  time  much  harassed  by 
the  enemy. 

On  3rd  August  it  was  found  that  the  Poligar  had  thrown  up 
a  breastwork  in  front  of  the  road ;  but  as  soon  as  we  opened 
fire  they  fled.     The  pioneers  cut  430  yards  this  day. 

August  4th. — Working  parties  fell  in  with  the  enemy,  who 
were  charged  and  routed.     Pioneers  cut  580  yards. 

August  5th  — Pioneers  cut  440  yards. 

August  Gth. — Found  a  high  bank  at  end  of  road  formed  into 
cover  for  a  large  body  of  the  enemy,  and  four  guns  bore  from  it 
on  the  road. 

They  defended  this  post  with  great  resolution.  However, 
they  were  at  last  put  to  flight  ;  but  our  loss  was  very  heavy. 
Pioneers  cut  237  yards. 

August  7th.  —The  bank  was  again  defended,  and  again 
stormed.  It  was  at  last  taken  in  flank,  but  the  enemy  succeeded 
in  carrying  ofl"  their  guns.     Pioneers  cut  350  yards. 

August  8th. — The  bank  was  again  defended,  but  it  was  again 
taken  in  flank.  Pioneers  cut  500  yards.  Calliacoil  Pagoda  was 
now  in  sight. 

August  Uth. — A  field  redoubt  for  three  guns  and  300  men 
completed  and  occupied.     The  work  was  thirty  yards  square. 

From  August  10th  to  14th  (five  days),  the  pioneers  cut  2,000 
yards,  when  the  Calliacoil  Pagoda  was  conjectured  to  be  about  a 
mile  distant. 

On    the    15th,  tlie   working-party  received  a  cannonade  from 


350  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  U800 

three  guns  and  a  constant  fire  of  musketry.  It  was  found 
impossible  to  persuade  the  woodcutters  to  work,  so  Major 
Sheppard,  who  commanded,  returned  to  the  redoubt. 

On  the  1 6th,  the  working-party  under  Major  McLeod  advanced 
in  two  columns,  without  guns,  and  penetrated  with  difficulty  to 
the  front  of  the  bank  from  whence  the  enemy  had  fired  the  day 
before  ;  but  they  found  it  so  strongly  fortified  by  nature  and 
art  that,  after  a  long  struggle,  the  enterprise  was  abandoned. 

August  17th. — The  working-party  in  advance  was  formed  into 
two  columns,  one  of  which  proceeded  direct,  while  the  other  cut 
a  small  road  1,2U0  yards  to  the  right,  and  returned;  the  first 
column  remaining  in  main  road,  and  keeping  up  a  constant  fire 
of  cannon  till  they  came  back. 

On  l«th  August,  working-parties  cut  500  yards  further  on  the 
small  road,  but  were  fired  on,  and  several  killed  and  wouuded. 
Colonel  Innes  had  a  narrow  escape  from  being  shot. 

August  19th. — Colonel  Agnew  determined  to  take  the  enemy's 
guns.  A  select  party  was  formed  under  Captain  Weston,  com- 
posed of  800  men,  Europeans  and  sepoys,  with  two  6-pounders, 
and  some  pioneers  under  Captain  Bagshaw  and  Lieutenant 
Gordon. 

At  about  half-past  10,  a  tremeodous  tire  opened  all  round 
them,  and  though  within  a  few  yards  of  the  enemy,  no  one  could 
be  seen.  Having  ascertained  that  they  were  still  advancing  on 
our  right  flank,  our  men  formed  four  deep,  facing  outwards  with 
a  gun  on  each  flank,  and  occupying  the  whole  road.  When  we 
perceived  them  within  ten  yards  our  tiring  commenced,  the 
Infantry  all  sitting.  Screams  and  groans  succeeded  ;  but  the 
firing  still  continued  for  twenty  minutes,  when  all  was  hushed, 
and  we  pushed  on  and  gained  another  broad  and  high  bank 
covered  with  jungle.  After  this  it  was  determined  to  retire,  and 
at  12  the  retrograde  movement  was  commenced.  By  2  p.m.,  the 
working-party,  a  few  hundred  yards  in  front  of  the  redoubt,  was 
readied. 


1800.] 


MADEAS    ENGINEEKS.  351 


On  the  21st  a  road  was  commenced  to  the  left,  thirty  feet 
broad  and  200  feet  long. 

On  the  22nd,  but  little  work  was  done,  the  weather  being  very 
wet. 

On  the  2-'Srd,  another  small  redoubt  was  constructed,  at  the 
commencement  of  the  road  leading  into  the  jungle. 

On  the  24th,  a  working-party  cleared  some  more  ground 
round  the  redoubt,  and  on  returning  were  fired  on 

The  working-party  had  a  light  gun  invented  by  Captain 
Sadler.  Not  being  accustomed  to  its  munagement,  one  of  our 
own  pioneers  was  killed  by  the  first  discharge  !  The  gun  was 
consequently  condemned  I 

During  the  next  few  days,  working-parties  were  employed. 

On  30th  August,  it  was  determined  to  abandon  our  attempt 
to  reach  Calliacoil  from  Sherevele  side. 

On  1st  September,  the  redoubts  were  destroyed,  and  all  the 
brushwood  in  their  neighbourhood  burnt. 

On  morning  of  the  2nd,  our  whole  force  marched  to  Ookoor, 
from  whence  we  had  advanced  at  the  end  of  June. 

On  the  12th,  Woodia  Taver,  a  new  chief  set  up  in  place  of  the 
Murdoos,  was  installed  atSholaveram,  Zemindar  of  Shevagunga. 

On  the  27th,  the  force  prepared  to  make  a  new  dash  at  Callia- 
coil. 

On  the  30th,  Lieutenant- Colonel  Spry  was  directed  to  march 
at  night  with  a  detachment  bv  the  old  road  to  Sherevele,  and 
thence  proceed  through  the  road  we  cut  in  the  jungle  to  Callia- 
coil. The  remainder  of  the  troops  were  to  proceed  in  the 
morning,  and  Colonel  Innes"  force  was  to  meet  us  by  another 
route  from  Sholaveram. 

On  1st  October,  we  advanced  by  three  distinct  routes  to 
Calliacoil.  No  opposition  was  experienced  for  three  miles,  when 
we  arrived  at  a  barrier,  from  which  a  gun  opened  upon  us.  It 
was  at  once  attacked  in  Hank,  and  carried  without  any  loss, 
except  i)r.  luylj»  mid  vul'  pioneer  wounded. 


352  MILITAEY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1800. 

Colonel  Spry,  after  dispersing  a  party  near  the  place,  had 
taken  post  there  at  8  a.m.,  and  Colonel  Innes  having  routed  the 
enemy  whenever  they  appeared,  and  killed  lOO  of  them  in  one 
tank,  took  possession  of  Calagoody,  and  then  encamped  at 
Calliacoil.  Twenty-one  guns  were  taken,  and  a  great  quantity  of 
stores 

On  3rd  October,  a  division  under  Major  Sheppard  marched  to 
Mungalum  to  find  Murdoo,  but  he  had  retreated  into  the  jungle. 
Colonel  Agnew  returned  to  Madras  on  the  ith,  and  Major 
Macaulay  again  took  command.  The  Murdoos  now  disbanded 
their  forces.  In  a  few  days  both  the  Murdoos,  Catabomanaig^ 
Dalawai  Pillay,  and  the  dumb  brother,  were  taken,  and  were 
all  hanged,  except  Dalawai  Pillay  and  the  dumb  brother,  who 
were  transported  to  the  Prince  of  Wales'  Island.* 

This  most  harassing  warfare  now  ended.  The  expenditure 
of  life  had  been  profuse.  On  our  side  800  or  900  were  killed 
and  wounded,  and  among  these  fourteen  officers  were  killed,  and 
twenty-six  wounded. 

"  The  greater  part  of  the  Poligar  country  was  then  a  dense 
forest ;  and  the  labour  undergone  by  the  pioneers,  &c.  was 
extremely  severe,  and  frequently  performed  under  fire." 

Order  isHUed  by  Lruverntnenl. 

"  The  whole  course  of  operations  connected  with  that  service 
has  been  distinguished  by  a  sj)irit  of  animated  bravery  and 
persevering  exertion,  which  has  merited  the  warmest  approba- 
tion of  the  Governor  in  Council;  and  His  Lordship  in  Council, 
in  bestowing  on  the  officers  and  troops  the  applause  due  to 
their  conduct,  reflects  with  the  greatest  satisfaction  on  the 
advantages  which   have  been   derived   to  tlie  public  interests  by 

*  Catabomanaig,  chief  of  Pundalumcoorchy ;  Cheena  Murdoo,  chief  of 
Calliacoil  and  Sherevele  ;  Velli  Murdoo,  his  brother  ;  Uorasawmy  (or  the  dumb 
brother),  was  youngest  son  of  C'hcena  ^Iiirdou. 


1800.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  353 

the  suppression  of  a  confederacy  which  threatened  the  most 
injurious  consequences  to  the  tranquillity  of  the  British  posses- 
sions." 

On  5th  January  1804,  Colonel  Wellesley  marched  from 
Seringapatam  against  the  Rajah  of  Bullum  and  Mysore,  who 
had  again  been  refractory. 

On  the  Ifith,  he  attacked  and  carried  the  fort  at  Arrakerry. 
Captain  Heitland  and  his  pioneers  were  thanked  as  follows : — 

"In  the  performance  of  this  service,  I  have  had  every  reason 
to  be  satisfied  with  the  zeal,  alacrity,  and  good  conduct  of  all. 
My  acknowledgments  are,  however,  particularly  due  to  ...  . 
and  to  Captain  Heitland  and  his  pioneers." 

"  The  country  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Arrakerry  being  thick 
forest,  and  every  village  fortified.  Colonel  Wellesley  left  a  strong 
detachment  on  the  spot,  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  the 
pioneers  under  Captain  Heitland  and  Lieutenant  Davis,  who 
were  directed  to  fill  up  the  ditches,  and  destroy  the  fortifications 
of  the  villages,  to  open  roads  through  the  forests,  and  also 
down  the  sevei'al  passes  leading  into  Malabar,  viz.  the  Bisolv- 
seisul,  Sampogee,  and  Soobramoney  Ghauts.  The  fortifications 
of  twenty-five  villages  were  demolished  on  this  occasion." 


28 


354  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1800- 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Expedition  to  Egypt. — Expeditions  at  the  Spice  islands. — Changes  in  the  Corps 
from  1799  to  1803. — Engineer  Coi-ps  after  the  capture  of  Seringapatam. — 
Major-General  Ross  recommends  an  increase  to  the  Corps  of  Engineers. — 
Proposed  Establishment. — Distribution  of  Corps. — Major-General  Rosa 
reports  on  Fort  of  Seringapatam. — Approval  of  Colonel  Gent's  services. — 
Engineer  Corps  on  1st  January  1803. — Expedition  into  kingdom  of  Candy, 
in  Ceylon. — Increase  of  the  Corps  of  Pioneers,  January  1803. 

General  Baird  sailed  from  India  in  the  latter  part  of 
December  1800,  with  the  view  of  co-operating  with  the  British 
army  in  Egypt,  and  a  division  of  troops  from  the  Cape  was 
ordered  to  join  him  in  the  Red  Sea. 

His  object  was  to  land  at  Suez,  and  act  according  to 
the  circumstances  with  which  he  should  become  acquainted 
there. 

The  hope  was  always  entertained  that  he  would  arrive  in  time 
to  assist  the  European  army.  Unfortunately  the  monsoon  had 
commenced  before  his  entrance  into  the  Red  Sea  in  the  month 
of  April,  and  it  was  found  impossible  to  gain  his  destination : 
but  hearing  at  Jeddah  of  the  successes  of  the  English  on  the 
21st  March,  Baird  determined  to  land  at  Cosseir,  and  brave 
the  difficulties  of  the  desert. 

The  action  of  the  21st  March  was  fought  near  Alexandria,  be- 
tween the  French  under  General  Menon,  and  the  English  under  Sir 
Ralph  Abercrombie,  in  which  Abercrombie  was  mortally  wounded, 


lan]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  355 

and  the  English  repulsed  the  attack  made  by  the  French  ou 
their  lines. 

On  8th  June,  Baird  arrived  at  Cosseir,  and  found  Colonel 
Murray,  Adjutant-General,  who  had  preceded  him,  and  had 
reached  that  port  on  14  th  May. 

The  greater  part  of  the  army  was  still  missing,  and  none  of  the 
troops  from  the  Cape  had  arrived. 

Baird  employed  himself  in  preparing  means  for  crossing  the 
desert,  and  in  a  short  time  had  5,000  camels. 

He  set  out  for  Kinneh,  arrived  30th  June,  and  arranged  for 
the  march  of  the  remaining  divisions  by  establishing  posts  at 
different  wells,  and  by  digging  other  wells.  It  was  not  till  the 
end  of  July  1801  that  his  army  had  assembled.  The  collected 
troops  amounted  to  5,226. 

King's  troops  ..  ...  2,838 

East  India  Company's  Artillery  448 

Native  troops  ...  ...  1,940 


5,226  privates. 

To  these  must  be  added — 271  officers,  of  which  53  were 
natives;  331  sergeants,  125  drummers,  440  lascars,  276  ser- 
vants (not  soldiers),  572  followers  (public),  305  followers 
(private), =  2,320,  which  makes  a  total  of  7,546,  including 
sick. 

Sir  Home  Popham  sailed  from  the  Cape  with  Romney  and 
Sensible  on  2Hth  February  1801  ;  other  vessels  left  on  30th 
March ;  the  first  arrived  in  the  middle  of  June,  the  second  on 
10th  July. 

The  force  from  the  Cape  consisted  of  1,200  men. 

The  Madras  Pioneers  consisted  of  1  captain,  1  jemadar,  4 
sergeants,  8H  rank  and  file. 

Lieutenant  De  Havilland,  of  the  Madras  Engineers,  accom- 
panied the  expedition,  as  well    as  1  captain  of  Royal  Engineers, 

23  * 


356  MILITAEY   HISTORY   OF    THE  tiSOl. 

1  lieutenant  and  2  ensigns  of  Bengal  Engineers,  and  1  lieutenant 
of  Bombay  Engineers  ;  total  engineer  officers,  6. 

At  Cosseir  the  heat  was  very  intense,  water  very  bad  and 
impregnated  with  saltpetre.  When  the  Cape  force  arrived. 
General  Baird  was  at  Kinneh. 

On  15th  June,  Baird  received  a  despatch  from  General 
Hutchinson,  dated  13th  May,  announcing  that  he  had  heard  of 
arrival  of  the  Indian  army ;  that  he  intended  to  push  forward 
towards  Cairo,  to  keep  the  French  troops  there  in  check;  that 
he  meant  to  continue  near  Cairo  until  he  heard  that  Baird  was 
in  a  state  of  security,  and  then  intended  to  descend  the  Nile, 
and  besiege  Alexandria. 

On  20th  July,  Colonel  Carruthers  left  Cosseir  with  a  division 
of  600  men  of  the  61st. 

The  first  three  days  the  troops  passed  in  a  ravine,  which 
terminated  at  Moilah.  At  this  place,  and  at  Legaitha  were  posts 
of  sepoys  and  depots  of  provisions,  to  supply  the  troops  with  sheep 
and  biscuits.  Wells  had  been  mostly  dug  by  the  sepoys.  The 
troops  marched  by  night  ;  during  the  day-time  the  thermometer 
rose  to  110°  and  115°.  Eight  or  ten  hours  were  required  to 
perform  the  allotted  distances. 

On  29th  July,  Colonel  Carruthers  arrived  at  Kinneh,  with  the 
loss  of  only  one  drummer-boy. 

The  route  of  the  army  was  as  follows  : — 

Miles. 

Cosseir  to  New  Wells       ...  11 — water. 

To  half-way  to  Moilah      ...  17 — no  water. 

Moilah       ...          ...          ...  17 — provisions  and  water. 

Advance  wells       ...          ...  9 — water. 

Half-way  to  Legaitha       ...  19 — no  water. 

Legaitha    ...          ...          ...  19 — provisions  and  water. 

Barmita     ...          ...          ...  18 — water. 

Kinneh      , 10 — the  Nile. 

120  miles. 


1801.]  MADKAS    ENGINEEKS.  357 

The  following  instructions  will  show  clearly  how  difficult  the 
march  across  the  desert  really  was  : — 

Memo,  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Carruthers. 

"  You  will  proceed  with  the  detachment  under  your  orders  on 
the  evening  of  the  20th  instant,  to  the  New  wells,  distance  about 
eleven  miles. 

"The  wells  are  a  little  off  the  road,  therefore  be  careful  not  to 
pass  them,  nor  allow  your  camels  and  baggage  to  miss  them. 

"  An  officer's  party  is  stationed  at  the  wells.  On  your  arrival 
there,  which  would  be  about  11  p.m.,  you  should  not  allow  your 
men  to  straggle  about,  or  keep  each  other  awake,  as  a  good 
night's  rest  will  enable  them  to  make  the  march  of  the  next 
night  with  more  alacrity.  In  the  morning,  half-a-pint  of  wine 
should  be  issued  to  each  man,  and  then  rice,  which  they  must 
cook  for  that  day  and  the  following.  The  men's  canteens 
should  be  filled  with  congee  ;  and,  just  previous  to  their  march- 
ing, another  half-pint  of  wine  should  be  given  them  to  mix  with 
their  congee.  The  men  should  be  kept  in  their  tents,  and  as 
quiet  as  possible  during  the  heat  of  the  day.  The  mussucks 
will  be  filled  up  at  the  wells,  if  any  should  have  leaked  out. 
As  you  will  find  plenty  of  water  at  the  wells,  of  course  you  will 
not  use  any  of  the  water  carried  from  this.  But  be  extremely  care- 
ful of  your  mussucks,  that  they  do  not  get  damaged,  particularly 
in  lifting  them  on  and  off  the  camels,  which  ought  to  be  done 
with  a  tent-pole.  On  evening  of  the  21st,  you  will  proceed 
half-way  to  Moilah,  which  is  thirty-four  miles  from  the  wells. 
Therefore,  if  you  start  from  the  wells  at  5  p.m.,  and  march  till 
midnight,  you  will  have  marched  seventeen  miles  and  a  half  (at 
two  miles  and  a  half  an  hour),  or  half-way  to  Moilah.  You 
will  halt  there,  and  in  the  morning  issue  half-a-piut  of  wine 
per  man,  and  the  rice  which  was  cooked  the  preceding  day. 
No  water  is  to  be  had  at  this  halting-place ;  you  will  there- 
fore issue    to    the   troops  and    followers  from    your   casks  and 


358  MILITAEY   HISTOEY   OF    THE  dSOl. 

mussucks  a  proportion  of  water.  Two  gallons  of  water  for  each 
man  is  sent  with  you,  with  an  allowance  for  leakage.  You  will 
therefore  in  the  morning  issue  a  gallon  per  man,  and  fill  the 
canteens  in  the  evening  before  you  march. 

"  If  you  find  you  still  have  water  to  spare,  you  will  issue 
it  at  your  discretion.  On  the  evening  of  the  22nd,  you  will 
proceed  to  Moilah,  where  you  will  find  an  ofiicer's  party. 
Water  and  provisions  are  to  be  had  there.  You  will  indent  on 
the  commissary  for  two  days'  provisions,  to  be  carried  with 
you,  to  serve  on  the  way  to  Legaitha. 

"If  you  find  your  men  much  fatigued,  you  may  halt  one  day 
and  night  at  Moilah,  and  on  the  following  evening  you  will 
proceed  to  the  advanced  wells,  about  nine  miles  beyond  Moilah. 
There  you  will  fill  up  your  mussucks,  and  cook  rice  for  the 
following  day.  Your  next  march  is  half-way  to  Legaitha,  which 
is  about  thirty-five  miles  from  the  advanced  wells.  You  will 
take  the  same  precautions  and  measures  on  this  march  as  directed 
in  that  from  the  wells  to  Moilah ;  for  as  there  is  no  water  until 
you  arrive  at  Legaitha,  you  must  carry  your  provisions  cooked 
for  one  day,  and  be  very  careful  of  your  water.  Your  next 
march  is  to  Legaitha,  where  you  will  find  water  and  provisions. 
You  may  halt  there  a  day  and  night,  if  you  find  it  necessary. 
Your  two  next  marches  carry  you  to  Ghenna,*  twenty-eight  miles. 
"  Every  halting- day  the  camel- drivers  are  to  receive  forty 
comasses  for  each  camel.  The  Deputy  Quartermaster  General 
will  advance  the  money,  if  you  require  it.  450  comasses  = 
one  dollar.  You  will  endeavour  to  conciliate  the  camel- drivers, 
as  much  as  possible,  lest  they  desert.  One  head-man  will  have 
the  charge  and  direction  of  them,  and  you  will  give  your  orders 
through  him.  You  will  write  to  me  from  New  Wells,  Moilah, 
and  Legaitha,  mentioning  any  inconveniences  or  impediments 
you  may  have  met  with  ;  and  whether  you  halt,  in  order  that 
succeeding  divisions  may  be  guided  by  it.     You  will  find  fresh 

*  Kinneh. 


1801-2.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  359 

meat  at  Moilah  and  Legaitha,  which  you  will  issue  to  your  men  ; 
also  spirits,  as  your  wine  must  be  used  only  on  marching  days. 
You  have  with  you  one  gallon  of  wine  for  each  European 
soldier,  which  is  to  be  issued  on  marching  days,  at  the  rate  of 
one  pint  per  man.  You  will  endeavour  to  dissuade  your  men 
from  drinking  a  great  quantity  of  water,  which  has  been  found 
very  hurtful  and  weakening  ;  and  when  you  are  at  those 
stations  where  water  can  be  had,  your  men  should  be  marched  to 
the  wells  to  fill  their  canteens  morning  and  evening,  and  no 
more  should  be  allowed.  At  those  places  where  they  cannot 
cook  their  victuals,  they  must  be  persuaded  to  eat  what  was 
cooked  the  day  before  ;  as  they  will  not  otherwise  be  able  to 
perform  the  succeeding  march,  through  faintness  and  weakness." 

(Signed)         "J.  Montresor. 

"  Lieutenant-Colonel." 

On  8th  August,  General  Baird  reached  Gizeh,  and  having 
completed  his  arrangements  for  the  supplies  and  comforts  of  his 
men,  shifted  his  head-quarters  to  the  island  of  Rhoda,  to  which 
he  removed  on  16th  August. 

By  the  27th,  all  his  force  had  assembled  at  Rhoada,  and  on 
the  same  night  the  light  wing  began  to  move. 

General  Baird  left  Rhoda  the  same  day,  and  arrived  at 
Rosetta  on  the  30th,  where  the  first  division  of  his  army  was 
already  encamped. 

General  Hutchinson  now,  much  to  Baird's  annoyance, 
announced  that  the  French  had  sent  a  flag  of  truce  to  him  to 
treat  for  surrender ;  and  when  General  Baird  went  next  day  to 
Sir  John  Hutchinson's  tent,  he  found  that  the  capitulation  was 
actually  signed,  and  that  the  troops  were  to  take  possession  of 
the  outworks  on  the  following  morning. 

Sir  John  Hutchinson,  after  the  capitulation,  went  home,  and 
Lord  Cavan  was  placed  in  command. 

It  was  not  till  the  7th  May   1802  that  General  Baird  quitted 


360  MILITAKY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1801-2. 


Alexandria.  He  arrived  at  Gizeli  on  the  11th;  as  soon  as  he 
reached  Gizeh  he  sent  to  the  Pasha,  and  informed  him  that  he  ex- 
pected every  assistance  during  the  march  across  the  desert  to  Suez. 

General  Baird  immediately  put  the  army  in  motion  and  began 
the  march  to  Suez,  which  place  he  reached  on  25th  May  1802. 
The  troops  crossed  the  desert  in  five  easy  marches  without 
experiencing  much  difficulty,  and  with  the  loss  of  only  three 
Europeans. 

Through  the  exertions  of  Sir  Home  Popham,  the  transports 
were  ready  to  receive  the  troops  nearly  as  soon  as  they  arrived. 

On  the  6th  June,  the  General  embarked  on  H.M.S. 
Victor,  having  given  orders  that  the  whole  of  the  troops  (except 
those  from  Bombay)  should  touch  at  Madras. 

Lieutenant  De  Havilland  was  away  from  Madras  from 
December  1800  to  10th  April  1804.  A  part  of  the  time  he  was 
field  engineer,  a  part  of  time  commanding  engineer,  and  a  part 
surveyor.  His  services  in  Egypt  ended  on  4th  July  1802*;  but 
his  return  to  Madras  was  delayed  in  consequence  of  his  being 
captured  by  a  French  privateer,  and  sent  to  Bengal  at  a  season 
when  a  passage  could  be  procured  and  made  with  difficulty. 

De  Havilland  was  captured  in  January  1804,  on  board  the 
Company's  ship  Admiral  Aplin,  by  the  French  privateer  La 
Psyche.  From  the  Commander  he  obtained  permission  to 
proceed  to  Madras  on  a  neutral  vessel,  under  the  condition  of 
not  carrying  arms  against  France  until  a  French  prisoner  of  war 
should  be  exchanged  for  him.  He  was  allowed  to  resume  his 
rank  in  April  1804,  but  the  Commander-in-Chief  considered 
"  that  the  parole  given  by  Captain  De  Havilland  disqualified  him 
for  employment  in  military  works ;  as  military  works  are 
erected  against  all  the  enemies  of  the  State,  and  consequently 
against  the  French,  who  are  the  most  prominent  of  ours."  It 
was  not  till  December  1804  that  Captain  De  Havilland  was 
appointed  Engineer  in   the  ceded  districts.     He  was  mentioned 

*  From  Egypt  it  is  supposed  De  Havilland  proceeded  to  England. 


1801-2.J  MADBAS   ENGINEEES.  361 

as  "  distinguished  by  his  valuable  aud  indefatigable  exertions 
in  obtaining  topographical  information,  in  facilitating  the 
communications,  and  the  supply  of  water  to  the  Indian 
detachment  in  Egypt," 

It  has  not  been  possible  to  ascertain  the  name  of  the  captain 
who  commanded  the  Madras  Pioneers. 

Despatch  by  Lieutenant- Colonel  Hutchinson,  19 th  August,  1801. 

"Major-General  Baird,  after  having  struggled  with  many 
difficulties  in  passing  the  desert,  and  from  want  of  boats  to 
descend  the  Nile,  has  at  length  arrived  at  Cairo,  with  the  greatest 
part  of  the  troops  under  his  command,  and  I  imagine  he  will 
reach  Rosetta  in  the  course  of  a  few  days." 

To  perpetuate  the  services  rendered  to  the  Ottoman  Empire 
the  Grand  Signor  established  an  order  of  knighthood,  which  he 
made  the  Order  of  the  Crescent. 

In  the  First  Class  were  Lord  Hutchinson,  Lord  Keith, 
Admiral  Bickerton,  Major- General  Coote,  Major- General  Baird, 
and  Lord  Elgin. 

In  the  Second,  General  Officers  and  Naval  Officers  of  equal 
rank. 

Field  Officers  had  large  gold  medals. 

Captains  had  smaller  ones,  and  subalterns  still  smaller  ones. 
Finally,  as  a  further  proof  of  the  sense  he  entertained  of  the 
services  rendered,  the  Grand  Signor  ordered  a  palace  to  be 
built  in  Constantinople  for  the  future  residence  of  British 
Ambassadors. 

Extract  from  Despatch  from  the  Governor-General,  dated 
Sth  Fehruary  1802. 

"  I  consider  it  to  be  my  duty  on  this  occasion  to  express  to 
you  the  high  sense  which  I  entertain  of  the  zeal,  fortitude,  and 
ability  which  have  distinguished  your  conduct  in  the  execution 
of  the  arduous  duties  committed  to  your  charge  since  you  have 
held  the  important  command  of  that  part  of  the  Army  of  India 


362  MILITABY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1801-2. 

destined  to  co-operate  in  the  expulsion  of  the  French  from  Egypt. 
The  successful  march  of  the  army  under  your  command  through 
Upper  Egypt,  under  circumstances  of  extraordinary  diflSculty, 
embarrassment,  and  danger,  is  to  be  ascribed  principally  to  your 
prudence  and  perseverance,  aided  by  the  approved  skill  and 
determined  spirit  of  your  officers,  and  by  the  discipline  and 
firmness  of  your  troops. 

"  It  will  afford  me  the  highest  satisfaction  to  submit  to  His 
Majesty's  Ministers,  and  to  the  Honourable  the  Court  ol 
Directors,  my  cordial  approbation  of  your  eminent  merits, 
and  services  of  those  of  your  officers  and  men  on  the  late 
important  service.  Although  the  rapid  progress  of  the  British 
arms  under  the  able  conduct  of  the  late  Lieutenant- General 
Sir  Ralph  Abercrombie,  and  of  Lieutenant  -  General  Sir 
John  Hutchinson,  precluded  the  troops  under  your  com- 
mand from  participating  in  the  glory  of  those  operations 
which  terminated  in  the  conquest  of  Egypt,  you  omitted  no 
exertions  to  render  your  approach  useful  to  the  common  cause; 
and  if  the  course  of  events  had  required  your  exertions,  and  those 
of  the  Army  of  India  in  the  field,  I  am  confident  that  your 
conduct,  and  that  of  your  army,  would  have  been  correspondent 
to  the  character  which  you  have  acquired  in  this  quarter  of  the 
globe,  and  to  the  renown  of  the  British  arms  in  India.  I  desire 
you  to  consider  this  despatch  as  a  public  record  of  my  thanks  to 
you  and  jour  army  for  your  services  in  the  execution  of  my 
orders,  and  you  will  be  pleased  to  make  such  notification  of  these 
sentiments  as  you  may  think  proper  to  the  officers  and  troops 
under  your  command." 

At  the  close  of  1800,  Colonel  Burr  commanded  the  troops  in 
the  Moluccas.    In  December  he  projected  the  capture  of  Ternate. 

On  10th  February  1801,  the  British  armament,  composed 
chiefly  of  the  Madras  European  Regiment,  and  accompanied 
by  a  small  party  (twenty-one  men)  of  Madras  Pioneers,  under 


1801-2.]  MADKAS    ENGINEEES.  363 

Lieutenant  Wissett,  arrived  in  sight  of  the  island.  A  flag  of 
truce  was  sent  on  shore,  but  terms  were  refused.  The  troops 
landed,  but  were  unsuccessful  in  their  attempts  on  fortifications 
of  Telooke.  The  pioneers  on  this  occasion  carried  the  scaling- 
ladders. 

On  the  19th  they  re-embarked. 

On  2nd  April  aaother  stronger  expedition  sailed  from 
Amboyna,  and  arrived  on  the  30th, 

On  8th  May  the  troops  landed,  and,  after  some  severe  service, 
the  island,  &c.  surrendered. 

Captain  Ross,  of  the  Artillery,  acted  as  field  engineer  on  both 
the  expeditions  against  Ternate. 

It  will  here  be  convenient  to  detail  the  changes  which  took 
place  in  the  Corps  of  Engineers  from  the  time  of  the  capture  of 
JSeringapatam  up  to  the  commencement  of  the  first  Mahratta 
War  in  1803. 

At  the  former  date  the  corps  consisted  of  thirty  officers, 
including  those  absent  from  India.  During  the  next  four  years 
there  was  a  large  number  of  casualties  from  various  causes,  so 
that  although  twenty  officers  were  in  the  meantime  posted  to  the 
corps  we  find  that  at  the  time  of  the  second  Mahratta  War,  five 
ensigns  were  required  to  make  it  up  to  its  proper  complement  of 
twenty-eight  officers. 

After  Seringapatam,  the  Corps  consisted  of  the  following 
officers : — 

Patrick  Ross,  Major-General. 

William  Gent,  Colonel. 

Elisha  Trapaud,  Major.  ^ 

Jacob  Hemming,  Captain  (invalided  September  1793). 

John  Norris,  Captain. 

Walter  Lennon,      „ 

Colin  Mackenzie,    ,, 

Arthur  Forest,         „ 

George  Johnstone,  „ 


364  MILITAEY   HISTOKY    OF    THE  [1801-2. 

Thomas  Wood,  Brevet  Captain. 

J.  L.  Caldwell,  Lieutenant. 

John  Blair, 

W.  Farquhar, 

John  Carruthers, 

K.  H.  Fotheringham,   ,, 

William  Castle, 

J.  R.  Cleghorne, 

T.  F.  De  Havilland, 

John  Cotgrave, 

J.  Fotheringham, 

Benjamin  Sydenham,  ,, 

H.  H.  Torriano,  ,, 

Thomas  Fraser,  Ensign. 

W.  Ravenshaw,  ,, 

G.  Bradley,  „ 

Thomas  Arthur,         „ 

William  Garrard,       ,, 

George  Rowley,         ,, 

Edward  Malton,         ,, 

C.  W.  Bell, 

John  Smith,  ,, 

On  17th  December  1799,  John  Carruthers  was  struck  off  the 
strength  of  the  Corps,  probably  because  he  went  to  England,  and 
did  not  return. 

Jacob  Hemming,  who  had  been  invalided  on  September  1793, 
probably  owing  to  the  wound  he  received  in  1792,  finally  retired 
in  1800. 

George  Johnstone  was  dismissed  in  1800,  after  long  and  good 
service,  for  horsewhipping  a  civilian.  His  case  was  a  very  hard 
one,  and  I  hope  further  on  to  show  that  he  was  harshly  used. 

Tliomas  Wood  returned  from  the  Cape  at  the  end  of  May 
1800,  and  died  at  Arnee  in  August  following. 

Edward  Malton  was  transferred,  at  his  own  request,  to  the 
Infantry  on  2nd  September  1800. 


01-2.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  365 

Early  in  1801,  Patrick  Koss,  who  had  been  for  nearly  thirty- 
one  years  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Corps,  retired  from  the 
service. 

In  June  1801,  Ensign  Bell  was  transferred,  at  his  own 
request  to  the  Cavalry,  but  was  directed  to  continue  to  act  as 
Engineer  at  Seringapatam  for  the  present 

On  24th  August  1801,  Lieutenant  Castle,  and  on  14th 
October  1802,  Captain  Forest,  died. 

Early  in  1800,  Colonel  Gent  went  on  furlough  to  Europe; 
and  when  Major  General  Ross  retired,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Trapaud  became  Chief  Engineer. 

Colonel  Gent  does  not  appear  to  have  returned  to  India  after 
1800,  and  finally  retired  as  Major- General  on  11th  August 
1802. 

Thus,  in  the  four  years,  1799  to  1803,  there  were  ten 
casualties,  which  reduced  the  numbers  to  twenty-one;  in  the 
meantime  (1801)  two  ensigns  joined,  Russell  and  Blakiston,  so 
that  after  the  commencement  of  the  Mahratta  War,  the  Madras 
Engineers  consisted  of  only  twenty-three  officers,  or  five  below 
their  regular  strength. 

Major-General  Ross,  before  he  left  the  country,  addressed  a 
letter  to  the  Government,  in  which  he  "considered  it  his  duty 
previously  to  his  quitting  the  service,  to  recommend  an  increase 
to  the  Engineer  Corps."  He  defended  the  Corps  from  the  imputa- 
tions contained  in  Mr.  Secretary  Webbe's  letter  of  1 9th  March 
1793,  and  the  report  on  the  Minute  of  the  Committee  of  Military 
Board,  August  1798,  will  evince  his  (Major-General  Ross')  un- 
remitted attention  to  the  duties  of  his  station.  He  enclosed  copy 
of  his  report  making  observations  on  the  appointment  of  a  Civil 
Engineer,  and  suggested  that  if  his  "  recommendations  had  been 
attended  to,  in  many  instances  fortresses  might  have  been  kept 
in  good  order  which  are  now  running  into  decay."  He  pointed 
out  "  the  impropriety  of  permitting  the  erection  of  several 
buildings  in   Fort  St.  George,  which  weaken  the  defence,"  and 


366 


MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1801-2. 


alluded  to  "  the  necessity  of  erecting  additional  powder  maga- 
zines and  improving  the  interior  of  the  fort."  He  suggested 
various  alterations  in  the  mode  to  be  observed  in  superintending 
the  public  works,  which  he  conceived  better  calculated  to  have 
the  works  well  executed,  and  to  save  expense. 

He  proposed  an  increase  to  the  corps  of — 

One  lieutenant-colonel,  one  major,  one  captain,  one  captain- 
lieutenant,  two  lieutenants,  and  two  ensigns,  and  the  establish- 
ment would  then  be  — 

1  Colonel. 

2  Lieutenant-Colonels. 
2  Majors. 

5  Captains.     | 

5  Captain-Lieutenants. 
10  Lieutenants. 
10  Ensigns. 

1  Adjutant. 

36  officers  in  place  of  28,  as  at  present 
The  distribution  of  the  above  was  to  be  as  follows  : — 


Carnatic  Division — 

Colonel... 

1 

Captain 
Captain-Lieutenant 

1 
1 

Lieutenants 

4 

Ensigns            

3 

Adjutant 

1 
—11 

Northern  Division — 

Major 

Captain-Lieutenant 

1 
1 

Lieutenant 

1 

Ensign... 

1 
—  4 

1801-3.] 


MADRAS    ENGINEERS. 


3^7 


Southern  Division — 
Major    ... 
Captain 
Lieutenant 
Ensign ... 

Mysore  Division — 

Lieutenant-Colonel 
Captain 

Captain-Lieutenant 
Lieutenants 
Ensign ... 


Ceded  Provinces  from  Nizam- 
Lieutenant-Colonel 
Captain 
Lieutenant 
Ensign... 


1 
1 

1 
1 

—  4 

1 
1 
1 

2 
1 

—  6 

1 
1 
1 
1 


Nizam's  Detachment — 
Captain 
Ensign 


Ceylon  and  Eastern  Islands — 

Colombo:  Captain       ...  1 

Ensign        ...         1 

Trincoraallee :  Lieutenant        1 

Malacca:  Captain-Lieutenant  1 


Ensign 


1 
—  5 

36 


After  the  siege  of  Seringapatam,  Major- General  Ross  was 
ordered  to  report  on  the  fortifications.  In  August  IbOO,  he 
accordingly    sent  in   a   report,  with   plans   and  estimates.      The 


368  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  ri80l-3. 

Board  highly  approved  of  his  suggestions,  but  considering  the 
great  expense  of  carrying  them  out  in  their  entirety,  recom- 
mended that  only  those  necessary  for  the  actual  security  of  the 
place  should  be  commenced. 

1st.  To  reform  the  west  bastion. 
2nd.  To  complete   rampart,  revetment,  and  flanks   of  west 

and   north    faces,,    as    far    as   the  cavalier  on    west 

face,  removing    two    round   towers,    and    improving 

out-works. 
3rd.  To  complete  flanks  of  Sultan's  battery. 
4th.  As   noxious    exhalations    proceed    from    the    stagnant 

water  of  inner  ditch,  the  pioneers  to  be  employed  in 

filling  it  up. 

The  officers  who  were  employed  on  the  surveys  of  Seringa- 
patam  were  Captain  Norris,  Lieutenant  Castle,  and  Ensign 
Fraser. 

The  estimate  for  the  proposed  reforms  to  the  fortifications  of 
Seringapatam  amounted  to  609,755  pagodas,  and  for  reinstating 
the  fort  of  Bangalore  with  the  addition  of  two  caponiers,  87,238 
pagodas. 

When  Colonel  Gent  went  home,  the  Board  resolved  to  express 
in  general  orders  "  the  sense  they  entertained  of  the  services 
rendered  by  Colonel  Gent  during  a  period  of  twenty-five  years, 
and  particularly  in  the  distinguished  situation  of  Chief  Engineer 
at  the  siege  of  Seringapatam." 

On  1st  January  1803,  the  Corps  was  composed  as  follows  : — 

Colonel  Elisha  Trapaud,  Chief  Engineer. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Norris. 
Major  W.  C.  Lennon. 
Captain  Colin  Mackenzie. 
J.  L.  CaldwelL 

„         John  Blair. 

,,         W.  Farquhar 


1803.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  369 

Captain-Lieutenant  R.  H.  Fotheringham. 
„  „  J.  R.  Cleghorne. 

T.  F.  De  Havilland. 
„  ,,  John  Cotgrave. 

„  ,,  J.  Fotheringham. 

Lieutenant  B.  Sydenham. 
„  H.  H.  Torriano. 

„  Thomas  Fraser. 

„  W.  Ravenshaw. 

„  G.  Bradley. 

„  Thomas  Arthur. 

,,  W.  Garrard. 

Ensign  George  Rowley. 
„        John  Smith. 
„        Samuel  Russell. 
„        John  Blakiston. 

In  the  middle  of  the  Island  of  Ceylon  was  the  kingdom  of 
Candy. 

Its  relations  with  the  British  Government  were  very  un- 
settled, and  the  country  was  in  a  state  of  confusion  owing  to 
the  death  of  the  kiug,  and  the  elevation  of  an  usurper,  to  the 
exclusion  of  the  rightful  claimant,  effected  by  the  chief  adigar 
or  minister,  Pelime  Talanoe. 

The  lawful  inheritor  of  the  throne  was  Mootoosawmy.  He 
escaped,  and  claimed  the  protection  of  the  British  Government, 
which  was  granted. 

Major- General  McDowell  was  despatched  on  a  mission  to 
Candy,  to  ask  for  permission  to  construct  a  road  to  connect 
Columbo  and  Trincomalee.     This  was  refused. 

Warlike  preparations  were  now  made  by  the  Candians,  and 
various  acts  of  aggression  on  British  subjects  followed 

The  Governor,  Mr.  North,  now  determined  on  war.  On  31st 
January  1803,  General  McDowell  marched  from  Trincomalee, 
and  on  20th   February,   the    two   divisions  met  before  Candy. 

24 


370  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1803 

General  McDowell  had  marched  103  miles,  while  Colonel  Barbutt 
had  traversed  142. 

The  resistance  they  met  with  was  inconsiderable. 

On  21st  February,  a  strong  detachment  marched  into  Candy, 
which  was  found  evacuated. 

On  4th  March,  Mootoosawmy  was  duly  installed  King. 
Pelime  Talanoe  still  continued  to  intrigue,  and  finally  promised 
to  betray  the  King  to  the  English,  and  requested  the  despatch  of 
two  strong  detachments  to  the  place  where  the  King  was  to  be 
seized. 

General  McDowell  and  the  Candian  negotiator  agreed  that 
Pelime  Talanoe's  pageant  King  should  be  given  up  to  the 
English,  and  the  Adigar  himself  invested  with  supreme  autho- 
rity in  Candy,  and  that  he  should  pay  30,000  rupees  annually 
to  Mootoosawmy,  who  was  to  hold  court  at  Jafi'uapatam. 

Soon  after  this,  General  McDowell  left  for  Columbo,  leaving 
in  Candy  700  Malays  and  300  Europeans,  besides  sick. 

On  3rd  May,  the  terms  agreed  upon  were  confirmed  by  the 
Governor.  Madras  Pioneers  were  present  with  this  force,  as 
well  as  Lieutenant  Cotgrave  of  Madras  Engineers. 

All  the  shameful  occurrences  which  took  place  during  the 
next  few  months  are  detailed  at  some  length  in  Thornton's 
History  of  British  India ;  but  as  no  Engineers  or  Madras 
Pioneers  appear  to  have  been  present  in  these,  for  the  most  part, 
discreditable  operations,  it  is  superfluous  to  continue  the 
account. 

Candy  was  not  finally  taken  possession  of  till  the  year  1815. 

On  28th  January  1803,  the  Commander-in-Chief  increased 
the  numbers  of  the  Pioneer  Corps  from  1,400  to  1,600.  He 
thought  ''  that  the  services  of  the  pioneers  in  this  country 
always  repay  their  expenses  in  war  by  the  additional  facility 
which  they  give  to  the  movements  of  an  army ;  and  in  peace  by 
the  useful  labour  which  they  perform.  They  have  completed  a 
number  of  useful  works  since  their  formation — filled  up  ditches 


1803.1  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  371 

and  levelled  wall  at  Seringapatam  ;  formed  roads  in  Baramahl, 
Southern  Division,  Ceded  Districts,  and  Mysore.  Pioneers  to 
be  increased  from  fourteen  to  sixteen  companies.  Each  battalion 
to  consist  of  eight  companies,  and  each  company  to  have  one 
jemadar,  three  havildars,  three  naigs,  one  puckally,  and  100 
privates." 

Captain  Heitland  to  command  the  1st  battalion,  and  Captains 
Brown  and  Davis,  and  Lieutenant  Barclay  to  do  duty  with  the 
1st  battalion. 

Captain  J.  Fitzpatrick  to  command  2nd  battalion,  and  Captain 
Bagshaw  and  Lieutenant  Grand  to  be  with  it. 

In  January  1803,  Benjamin  Sydenham,  Madras  Engineers, 
was  appointed  Aide-de-Camp  to  Lord  Wellesley,  Governor- 
General. 


24  • 


372  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  11803. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Canses  of  the  Mahratta  War  in  1803. — Ensign  Rowley  dies. — Pettah  of  Ah- 
mednugger  taken  by  escalade. — Fort  of  Ahmednugger  captured. — Colonel 
Stevenson  takes  Jaulna. — Battle  of  Assaye. — Colonel  Maxwell  killed. — Loss 
of  the  Pioneers. — Battle  of  Argaum. — Siege  of  Gawilghur. — Assault  of 
Gawilghur. — Scarcity  of  forage. — Anecdote  of  siege  of  Ahmedniigger. — 
Blakiston  slightly  wounded  at  Assaye. — Captured  standards  made  use  of  by 
Pioneers  in  a  comical  way. — Mode  of  attack  of  19th  Dragoons  at  the  battle 
of  Argaum. — Remarks  on  tlie  work  of  Captain  Johnson  and  the  Pioneers. — 
Blaldston  suffers  from  dysentery. — Remarks  of  Captain  Johnson  on  the 
siege. — Expedition  against  Cuttack. — Four  stands  of  colours  captured  by 
the  troops. — Hostilities  with  Jeswunt  Row  Holkar. — Chandore  surrenders. — 
The  strong  fortress  of  Dhoorp  included  in  the  capitulation  of  Chandore. — 
Employment  of  Pioneers  in  1805. — Government  make  provision  for  families 
of  natives  killed  in  action. — Pioneers  in  Wynaad. — Pioneers  in  Poloor 
Pollums. — Pioneers  at  Chittoor. — Court  of  Directors  appoint  cadets  to 
Artillery  and  Engineers. — Lieutenant  Blakiston  in  Wynaad. — Full  batta 
granted  to  Pioneers. — Captains  commanding  to  draw  batta  of  Majors. — A 
company  of  Madras  Pioneers  serve  with  Poena  Subsidiary  Force  till  April 
1806.  -  -    ■    -  — 

The  Peishwa  had  acquiesced  in  the  necessity  of  the  late  war 
against  Tippoo,  but  did  not  fulfil  his  treaty  obligations,  owing 
chiefly  to  the  influence  of  Scindia.  Marquis  Wellesley,  however, 
ignoring  this,  off'ered  a  considerable  amount  of  territory  to  the 
Peishwa  on  condition  of  his  reviving  his  alliance  with  the 
British  Government.  This  overture  was  rejected,  again  owing 
to  Scindia. 

This  hostile  attitude  of  Scindia,   and   the   great  strength   of 
Monsieur  Perron's  Army  (at   Coel)  in  the   vicinity   of  the  most 


803.] 


MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  873 


vulnerable  part  of  the  British  possessions,  induced  Lord  Wellesley 
to  conclude  a  subsidiary  treaty  and  defensive  alliance  with  the 
Guicowar  at  the  beginning  of  1802. 

In  June  1802,  overtures  were  again  made  to  thePeishwa.  He 
declined  them.  Holkar  at  this  time  was  a  few  days'  march  from 
Poona,  with  the  intention  of  destroying  Scindia's  influence,  and 
usurping  the  authority  of  the  Peishwa. 

Scindia  sent  a  force  at  once  to  co-operate  in  the  defence  of 
Poona.  A  general  action  took  place  near  Poona,  when  the  forces 
of  the  Peishwa  and  Scindia  were  defeated,  on  25th  October  1802, 
and  the  Peishwa  fled  to  the  Concan.  The  Peishwa  now  sent  his 
Minister  to  the  British  Resident  at  Poona,  soliciting  the  aid  of 
a  British  Subsidiary  Force,  and  wished  to  form  a  general  defen- 
sive alliance.  His  wishes  were  acceded  to.  The  treaty  was 
signed  on  31st  December,  and  the  ratification  by  the  Governor- 
General  was  received  in  March  1803. 

On  29th  February,  General  Stuart  was  directed  to  adopt  the 
necessary  measures  for  the  march  of  British  troops  into  the 
Mahratta  territory.  General  the  Honourable  Arthur  Wellesley 
was  appointed  to  command  this  advanced  force. 

On  8th  February,  the  force  from  Seringapatam  under  Wellesley 
made  its  first  movement.     It  consisted  of 

H.M.'s  33rd. 

2nd  Native  Cavalry. 

Artillery. 

Six  Regiments  of  Native  Infantry. 

2,000  Poorniah's  Horse,  and 

5,000  „  Infantry. 

After  a  very  hot  march,  it  reached  the  Grand  Army  under 
General  Stuart,  and  the  Centre  Army  under  General  Campbell, 
near  Hurryhur  on  28th  March,  having  come  200  miles. 

Generals  Stuart,  Campbell,  and  Baird  were  to  remain  with  a 
reserve  army,  while  the  fighting  one  was  to  push  on  under 
Wellesley. 


374  MILITAEY  HISTORY   OF   THE  tl803. 

The  Cavalry  Brigade  under  Colonel  Dallas  was  to  consist  of 
19th  Light  Dragoons,  and  4th,  5th,  and  7th  Native  Cavalry. 
1st  Infantry  Brigade  under  Colonel  Harness. 
Scotch  „  „      Major  Ferrier. 

2nd  Infantry       ,,  „      Colonel  Wallace. 

Artillery  „  ,,      Captain  Beauman. 

Pioneers  „  „       Heitland. 

The  Chief  Engineer  was  Captain  John  Johnson*  of  Bom- 
bay Engineers,  and  Ensigns  Kowley,t  Eussell,t  and  Blakistonf 
of  Madras  Engineers,  accompanied. 

The  march  from  Hurryhur  to  Poona,  350  miles,  was  accom- 
plished by  the  General,  and  Cavalry  on  20th  April,  and  by  the 
remainder  of  the  Army  on  the  22nd. 

Ensign  Kowley  had  command  of  the  Guides. 
During  the  night  of  the  J  9th,  Wellesley  made  a  forced  march 
of  forty- two  miles  to  save  the  city  from  being  plundered  and 
destroyed  by  Amrut  Row,  who  had  been  left  there  by  Holkar. 
Wellesley's  force  remained  encamped  near  Poona  till  4th  June. 

The  Peishwa  meantime  came  back  to  his  capital,  from  which 
he  had  previously  fled. 

The  Army,  after  leaving  Poona,  suffered  much  from  heavy  rain. 
Under  Wellesley — 

H.M.'s  19th  Dragoons 384 

4th,  5th,  and  7th  Native  Cavalry     1,347 

Artillery 172 

H.M.'s  74th  and  78th      1,368 

Six  Battalions  Sepoys     ...         ...     6,631 

Madras  Pioneers  ...         ...         ...        653 

Artillery  Lascars ...         ...         ...        357 

9,912 

*  He  joined  the  force  near  Dharwar. 

f  These  officers  marched  from  Hurryhur  with  Wellesley. 

}  This  officer  was  with  the  Nizam's  subsidiary  force  under  Colonel  Stevenson, 
which  arrived  within  a  short  distance  of  General  Wellesley's  force  at  Akloos, 
■within  eight  miles  of  the  Neera  river,  on  15th  April,  90  or  100  miles  from 
Poona. 


1803.] 


MADRAS   ENGINEERS. 


375 


er  Colonel  Stevenson — 

Native  Cavalry     ... 

900 

European  Artillery 

120 

H.M.'s  Scotch  Brigade   ... 

778 

Native  Infantry    ... 

.     6,113 

Pioneers   ... 

202 

Artillery  Lascars 

276 

Grand  Total     18,801 

On  the  5th  June  the  army  was  at  Sedagaum. 
„        9th       „  „  Pagtah. 

„      16th       „  „  Angah. 

„      28th       ,,  „  Walkee,  a  strong  fort  belong- 

ing to  Dowlut  Kow,  Scindia,  near  Ahmednugger. 

At  this  camp  Ensign  Rowley,  of  Madras  Engineers,  died  from 
exposure,  as  Commandant  of  the  Guides,  during  the  very  rainy 
weather.*  On  his  death  Captain  Johnson  took  charge  of  the 
Guides. 

On  8th  August,  the  weather  cleared  up,  and  the  army  advanced 
on  Ahmednugger,  as  Wellesley  found  that  Dowlut  Row 
Scindia  and  the  Rajah  of  Berar  were  evidently  hostile. 

The  pettah  was  found  to  be  held  by  Arabs,  supported  by 
a  battalion  of  Scindia's  infantry  and  horse.  The  Pettah  was  a 
large  native  town,  surrounded  by  a  wall  of  stone  and  mud, 
eighteen  feet  high,  with  small  bastions  at  every  lOo  yards.  The 
pettah  was  stormed  by  escalade. 

First  column  attempted  a  long  curtain  to  the  extreme  left,  but 
it  failed,  with  a  loss  of  fifteen  killed  and  fifty  wounded. 


*  Blakiston  remarks  :  "  To  a  steadiness  above  his  years  he  (Rowley)  joined 
an  ardour  and  a  zeal  in  his  professional  duties  which  secured  him  the  conlidence 
and  goodwill  of  the  general  (Wellesley),  who  lent  him  one  of  his  tents  during  his 
illness,  as  being  more  comfortable  than  his  own,  and  who  expressed  great  regret 
at  his  death." 


376  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE  ri803. 

Third  column,  to  the  right,  planted  scaling-ladders  at  a  re- 
entering-angle,  formed  by  a  small  bastion.  This  party  had  only 
two  ladders;  one  broke,  but,  in  spite  of  this  mishap,  Captain 
Vesey  was  soon  on  the  bastion.  Two  European  companies  had 
scrambled  up,  and  150  to  200  of  3rd  Native  Infantry,  when  a 
cannon-shot  smashed  the  ladder,  and  broke  the  thigh  of  the 
subadar  of  3rd  Native  Infantry. 

The  party  of  about  300  dashed  down  into  the  place,  and 
scoured  all  the  streets  near  the  wall.  The  second  column,  under 
Colonel  Wallace,  advanced  and  battered  in  the  gate.  The  two 
parties,  now  uniting  under  Colonel  Wallace,  soon  succeeded  in 
clearing  the  place  of  its  defenders,  who  consisted  of  1,500  Arabs 

and  3,000  Mahrattas. 

Killed.  Wounded. 

First  column  lost       ...  15  ...  50 

Second     „       „  ...  1  ...         20 

Third        „       „         ...  11  ...         22 

Total  loss       ...  27  ...  92=119 


Of  which  number  nine  pioneers  were  wounded. 

The  fort  was  very  strong — built  of  stone,  nearly  circular,  with 
a  wide  and  deep  dry  ditch,  and  large  circular  bastions  at  short 
intervals,  each  mounting  three  or  four  guns,  pointed  through 
casemated  embrasures  with  solid  terrace  above,  and  loop-holes 
for  musketry.  Bastions  fifty  or  sixty  feet  high,  with  curtains 
short  and  low.  Sixty  guns  were  mounted  on  bastions  ;  glacis 
very  high,  and  covered  thirty  feet  of  the  walls. 

On  the  9th,  Wellesley  reconnoitred  the  ground  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  fort,  and  seized  a  position  400  yards  off.  A 
battery  was  constructed  during  the  night,  which  opened  on  the 
10th,  at  daylight,  and  breached  two  contiguous  bastions  as  low 
as  the  glacis  would  admit. 

On  night  of  the  10th,  the  battery  was  lengthened  for  two 
howitzers,    and  an    approach   was   carried   from    some   broken 


1803.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  377 

ground  in  the  rear  to  the  bed  of  the  nullah,  whereby  a  tolerable 
secure  communication  was  made  between  the  camp  and  the 
battery,  the  ilauks  of  which  were  extended  so  as  to  form  a  small 
parallel.  As  our  guns  could  not  see  sufficiently  low  to  breach 
the  walls  effectively,  it  was  determined  that  during  the  11th 
night,  a  lodgment  should  be  made  on  the  crest  of  the  glacis  in 
front  of  the  breach,  with  sand-bags,  and  this  duty  was  allotted 
to  Ensign  Blakiston.  Just  as  they  had  commenced  the  work, 
however,  orders  came  down  to  cease  hostilities. 

On  the  12th,  the  enemy  sued  for  capitulation,  and  the  British 
took  possession.  Captain  Johnson,  of  Engineers,  and  Captain 
Heitland,  of  the  Pioneers,  were  favourably  mentioned  by  Wel- 
lesley.  On  the  three  days  of  the  siege,  the  Pioneers  lost  one 
man  killed  and  six  wounded ;  total  casualties  of  the  Pioneers  at 
Ahmednugger  were  thus  sixteen  more  than  one-ninth  of  total 
loss,  which  was  141  (30  killed  and  111  wounded). 

Blakiston  remarks :  "  The  activity  and  address  of  this  corps 
( Pioneers)  was  the  admiration  of  the  army." 

In  G.  0.  G.  G.,  8th  September  1803  :— 

"  The  Governor-General  in  Council  has  remarked  with  par- 
ticular approbation  the  conduct  of  Lieutenant-Colonels  Harness, 
Wallace,  and  Maxwell  ;  of  Captain  Beauman,  of  Artillery  ;  of 
Captain  Johnson,  of  the  Engineers;  and  of  Captain  Heitland, 
of  the  Pioneers." 

Captain  Graham  was  appointed  collector  of  the  district,  and 
Captain  Lucas  was  left  in  command  of  the  fort. 

Captain  Johnson  sent  in  an  estimate  on  the  1 6th  for  repair- 
ing the  two  breaches,  amounting  to  2,830  rupees ;  and  the  work 
was  executed  without  loss  of  time. 

A  few  days  after,  the  army  marched,  and  on  21st  August 
reached  Tokah,  on  the  Godavery,  fifty  miles  from  Ahmednugger. 
'J'he  river  was  found  to  be  deep  and  rapid,  and  the  army  did  not 
till  get  over  till  the  28th.  The  passage  was  effected  by  boats.  A 
few  men,  &;c.  were  lost. 


378  MILITAEY    HISTORY    OF    THE  ti803. 

On  the  29th  reached  Aurungabad  (twenty-six  miles).  Here 
Wellesley  had  a  conference  with  Colonel  Collins,  the  late 
Resident  at  Scindia's  Court.  Colonel  Collins  had  attempted  to 
induce  Scindia,  and  the  Rajah  of  Berar  to  retire  from  the 
Peishwa's  territory,  but  without  success. 

On  30th,  force  reached  Baulgaum  (eleven  miles),  passing 
through  a  wide  defile  between  hills,  six  miles  apart. 

31st. — Bamungaum  (twelve  miles). 

The  Pioneers  here  constructed  some  field-works,  in  which  it 
■was  intended  to  leave  18th  Native  Infantry  and  heavy  guns,  &c.; 
but  some  after-intelligence  induced  General  Wellesley  to  destroy 
the  new  works.  The  Pioneers,  with  two  companies  of  Native 
Infantry,  v^ere  left  to  do  this  work,  and  at  0  a.m.  on  2nd 
September,  the  army  marched  to  the  north  bank  of  the  Godavery, 
twenty-two  miles  and  a  half.  The  Pioneers,  after  completing 
the  work,  followed,  and  heard  some  heavy  firing  on  the  left, 
which  proved  to  be  Colonel  Stevenson  taking  Jaulna. 

On  25th  August,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Woodington  captured 
the  pettah  of  Broach,  in  Guzerat ;  and  on  the  29th,  stormed  the 
fort.  Captain  Cliffe,  of  Bombay  Engineers,  Chief  Engineer. 
The  Governor-General  in  Council  "  observed  with  particular 
satisfaction  the  conduct  of  Captain  Clifie."  Our  losses  were 
fifteen  killed  and  fifty-four  wounded. 

On  Ilth  September,  army  arrived  at  Hudgaum. 

On  the  21st,  General  Wellesley  and  Colonel  Stevenson  met 
and  concerted  a  plan  of  combined  movement,  expecting  to 
attack  Scindia  from  opposite  quarters  on  the  24th.  Colonel 
Stevenson's  guides  misled  him ;  and  on  the  23rd,  General 
Wellesley  found  himself  close  to  Scindia's  army  of  40,000 
men.  Wellesley  ordered  his  rear-guard  to  halt,  and  cover  the 
baggage  at  adjoining  village,  and  he  then  moved  on  with  his 
Staff,  and  Captain  Johnson,  of  Bombay  Engineers,  ordering 
picquets  to  follow,  and  the  line  to  come  up  as  soon  as  formed. 

After  marching  three  miles,  he  suddenly  came  in  sight  of  the 


1803.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  379 

enemy  on  a  small  peninsula  formed  by  the  rivers  Kaitnah  and 
Jooee — cavalry  on  their  right,  and  infantry  and  guns  on  the 
left.  The  Kaitnah  was  half-a-mile  in  their  front,  and  the  Jooce, 
■with  very  steep  banks,  three-quarters  of  a  mile  in  rear.  The 
General  determined  to  turn  their  left  flank.  Captain  Johnson, 
Bombay  Engineers,  was  ordered  to  ride  forward  and  examine 
the  road,  and  then  lead  the  infantry  on  to  the  attack. 

The  enemy  brought  their  whole  force  to  face  the  danger, 
forming  across  the  ground  in  two  lines,  right  close  to  the 
Kaitnah,  and  left  on  the  village  of  Assaye,  and  the  Jooee  river. 
They  opened  fire  with  their  artillery.  Our  army  crossed  the 
river,  and  formed  opposite  to  them.  Our  guns  opened  fire,  and 
our  cavalry  formed  in  rear  of  the  infantry.  Finding  our  artillery 
too  weak  in  number  and  weight,  the  General  ordered  them  to 
cease  fire,  and  the  infantry  to  advance,  which  they  did  in  a  most 
gallant  manner,  and  were  soon  in  possession  of  the  enemy's  front 
line  of  guns — when,  forming  afresh,  they  proceeded  to  attack 
the  second  line,  where  whole  of  enemy's  force  of  infantry  and 
cavalry,  with  half  their  artillery,  were  well  drawn  up,  with  river 
Jooee  in  their  front. 

At  this  time,  the  enemy's  cavalry  charged  in  our  rear,  and 
took  possession  of  their  own  guns,  which  we  had  just  captured, 
as  well  as  our  guns — killing  our  artillerymen,  and  turning  the 
guns  on  our  line. 

Our  cavalry  had  just  charged  a  body  of  the  enemy  in  the 
front,  which  had  nearly  annihilated  the  74th  on  our  extreme 
right.*  The  enemy's  second  line  stood  well,  but  was  at  last 
broken,  and  the  guns  captured  ;  while  our  cavalry,  pursuing,  fell 
in  with  an  immense  column,  who,  though  retreating,  opposed 
them.  They  were  charged  by  our  cavalry,  and  utterly  routed ; 
but  Colonel  Maxwell,  of  I'Jth  Dragoons,  was  killed. 

The  second  line  being  thus  dispersed,  the  General,  placing 

•  The  74th  lost  11  oflBcers,  9  sergeants,  and  104  men  killed  :  and  6  oflBcers, 
17  sergeants,  and  254  men  wounded.     Total,  killed  and  wounded,  401. 


380  MILITARY   HIBTOET   OF    THB  [MOS. 

himself  at  the  head  of  the  78th,  faced  about,  and  charged  the 
enemy  (who  were  in  possession  of  first  line  of  guns),  and  routed 
them.  103  cannon  and  12  howitzers  were  taken,  and  the  enemy 
left  1,200  dead  on  the  field. 

The  enemy  had  in  action  10,800  infantry,  and  30,000  cavalry  ; 
while  our  force  consisted  only  of  l,*-iOO  Europeans  and  3,300 
natives — total,  4,500. 

Our  loss  was  : — 

23  officers  killed  and  30  wounded. 
198  European  soldiers  killed  and  442  wounded. 
428  Native    Infantry    and    cavalry    killed    and    1,138 
wounded. 
18  missing. 
Total  killed,  wounded,  and  missing  =  2,277. 

The  Pioneers  suffered  severely  in  this  battle — having  lost 
fifteen  killed  and  fifty-one  wounded,  and  five  missing. 

Killed,  one  jemadar;  wounded,  three  jemadars,  two  havildars. 

Captain  Heitland  had  his  horse  shot  under  him.  General 
Wellesley  lost  two  horses. 

On  24th  September,  Colonel  Stevenson  arrived  at  Assaye,  and 
immediately  went  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  whom  he  followed 
for  some  time. 

The  army  under  Wellesley  after  this,  marched  and  counter- 
marched a  good  deal  without  the  occurrence  of  anything  of 
consequence  till  the  7th  November  at  Chichooly,  when  Scindia's 
Vakeel  came  to  camp. 

Meantime,  Colonel  Stevenson  crossed  the  Taptee,  took 
Boorhaupoor  and  advanced  thence  to  the  siege  of  Asseerghur — 
a  very  strong  hill-fort  belonging  to  Scindia.  Wellesley,  hearing 
that  Scindia  and  the  Berar  Kajah  showed  a  disposition  to  molest 
Stevenson,  on  the  19th  October  descended  the  Adjunteh  Pass. 
Stevenson  pushed  the  siege  of  Asseerghur  with  vigour,  and  on 
the  2l8t  it  surrendered.     Our  loss  was  small. 


1803.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  381 

Wellesley  received,  and  returned  visits  from  and  to  the  Vakeel. 
Afterwards  several  marches  were  made  by  the  army,  without 
seeing  the  enemy  till  the  29th  November.  On  the  morning  of 
the  29th,  our  army  marched  early,  the  army  of  the  Bonsla,  the 
Rajah  of  Berar,  being  encamped  at  Puthalee,  ten  miles  in  our 
front.  Colonel  Stevenson's  force  moved  on  the  left.  After  a 
march  of  ten  miles,  the  enemy  was  found  in  front,  and  the 
English  army  was  formed  in  advance  of  the  village  of  Sirsony 
with  a  tolerably  extensive  plain  three  miles  before  it,  iu  which 
were  the  army  of  the  Bonsla  in  front,  and  Scindia's  in  the  rear. 
At  half-past  4  we  were  ordered  to  leave  our  guns  and  advance. 

The  Arabs,  when  we  arrived  within  sixty  yards,  alter  a  round 
of  grape,  charged ;  a  severe  struggle  ensued,  in  which  600 
Arabs  were  killed  and  wounded,  and  a  large  number  of  standards 
taken  The  Arabs  once  defeated,  and  the  rest  of  our  line 
coming  up,  there  was  soon  a  perfect  rout. 

The  enemy's  cavalry  made  two  feeble  attempts  to  charge  our 
two  flank  corps,  but  were  repulsed. 

Our  cavalry  now  charged,  and  they  followed  the  enemy  for 
some  miles,  cutting  down  about  3,000  of  them. 

Thirty-eight  pieces  of  cannon  were  taken,  and  immense 
quantities  of  ammunition,  &c.,  with  twenty  or  thirty  standards. 

Our  loss  was  forty-si m  killed  and  300  wounded  and  missing, 
besides  forty-forty  horses. 

After  this  battle  of  Argaum  the  army  moved  to  the  neighbour- 
hood of  Gawilghur,  twelve  miles  north-west  of  Elliclipoor.  As 
well  as  the  1st  battalion  of  Pioneers,  a  detachment  of  2nd 
battalion  was  present  with  Wellesley. 

Colonel  Stevenson's  force  moved  round  to  the  opposite  side  of 
the  range  of  mountains,  as  it  was  understood  to  be  more  acces- 
sible from  south  side. 

On  27th  December,  operations  were  commenced  against 
Gawilghur. 

"  The  fort  consists  of  a  lofty  mountain,  the  plan   of  which  is 


382  MILITAEY    HISTORY    OF    THE  ae03. 

somewhat  in  the  shape  of  the  figure  8,  the  smaller  end  heing 
connected  with  the  tahle-land  to  the  north  hy  a  narrow  isthmus, 
and  the  larger  jutting  out  into  the  plain,  having  the  sides 
separated  from  the  mountains  by  deep  chasms.  It  is  thus 
divided  into  two  forts — one  to  the  south,  being  the  inner  one  or 
citadel,  having  its  sides  very  precipitous  ;  while  that  to  the  north 
forms  the  outer  fort.  Excepting  across  the  isthmus,  and  at  the 
separation  of  the  two  forts,  the  walls  are  not  particularly  lofty ; 
but  at  those  weak  points,  the  walls  were  both  strong  and  high, 
and  well  flanked  with  towers,  but  without  any  ditches  of 
consequence." 

"  The  outer  fort  has  a  thick  wall,  which  covers  the  approaches 
to  it,  by  the  north,  from  Lambada." 

Captain  Johnson  reconnoitred  the  south  side  of  the  fort,  and 
formed  the  opinion  that  it  was  by  nature  so  strong  on  that  side, 
that  it  would  be  better  to  examine  the  side  connected  with  the 
tableland  in  the  mountains,  before  deciding  on  the  point  of 
attack.  Johnson  accordingly  resolved  to  enter  the  mountains 
for  that  purpose,  having  guides  with  him,  who  engaged  to  lead 
him  to  the  point  in  question.     Blakiston  accompanied  him. 

The  road  being  extremely  rugged,  difficult,  and  very  circuitous, 
it  took  them  two  days  of  hard  marching  before  they  came  in 
sight  of  the  fort.  They  found  the  outer  fort  connected  with  a 
small  table-land,  by  a  neck  of  about  300  yards  in  breadth,  across 
which  was  a  strong  wall;  but  having  only  a  shallow  ditch,  and 
no  glacis,  it  was  quite  exposed ;  while  the  ground  in  front 
afforded  every  facility  for  the  construction  of  batteries  and 
approaches.  The  objection  to  attacking  the  fort  on  this  side 
was  that  we  should  have  two  forts  to  take  instead  of  one.  This 
was  over-ruled,  as  from  what  we  could  see  of  the  inner  wall, 
which  was  nearly  at  right  angles  with  the  face  we  were 
examining,  it  did  not  at  all  contribute  to  the  defence  of  the 
outer  one,  and  was  besides  so  situated  that  part  of  the  ground 
within  the  outer  fort  completely  commanded  it. 


1803.]  MADRAS    ENGINEEES.  383 

There  are  three  gates  :  one  to  south,  leading  to  inner  fort ; 
one  to  north,  which  leads  to  outer  fort ;  and  another  com- 
municating with  third  wall.  The  ascent  to  the  first  of  these 
gates  is  very  steep  and  difficult,  that  to  the  second  is  by  a  road 
used  for  the  intercourse  between  the  garrison  and  the  country  to 
the  south,  but  leading  no  farther  than  the  gate  itself.  The  road 
is  extremely  narrow,  and  from  its  passing  round  west  side  of 
fort,  is  everywhere  exposed  to  its  fire.  The  road  to  northern 
gate  is  from  Lambada,  and  on  ground  level  with  that  of  the  fort. 
As  this  last  road  leads  to  Lambada  for  about  thirty  miles  from 
Ellichpore,  it  was  obvious  that  the  labour  of  moving  ordnance 
to  the  village  would  be  very  great.  No  other  point  of  attack 
was  so  advantageous,  and,  therefore,  it  was  adopted.  It  was 
now  determined  that  Colonel  Stevenson  should  make  his  attack 
by  Lambada;  while  General  Wellesley,  with  his  division,  and 
all  the  cavalry,  covered  the  operations,  and  would  assist,  if 
necessary,  by  attacks  on  south  and  west. 

Captain  Johnson  remained  with  Colonel  Stevenson's  force  to 
conduct  the  principal  attack;  while  Blakiston  was  ordered  back 
to  superintend  operations  on  the  south. 

The  whole  of  the  Pioneers  commenced  the  arduous  task  of 
making  a  practicable  road  for  artillery  to  the  point  of  attack — 
a  distance  of  about  thirty  miles. 

On  6th  November,  the  enemy  were  driven  from  the  ground 
they  occupied  south  of  fort.  At  the  same  time,  the  fortified 
village  of  Damergaum  was  seized ;  this  village  covered  the 
entrance  to  the  mountains  by  the  road  which  Colonel  Stevenson 
had  to  pass.  General  Wellesley  had  sent  Captain  Heitland,  of 
Madras  Pioneers,  to  assist  Colonel  Stevenson. 

On  the  7th,  both  divisions  marched  from  Ellichpore — Wel- 
lesley to  south  of  Gawilgliur,  and  Stevenson  by  Damergaum. 

Up  to  the  1 2th,  when  Colonel  Stevenson  broke  ground  at 
Lambada,  the  troops  in  his  division  had  much  laborious 
service.       Heavy   ordnance  and  stores  had    to  be    dragged    for 


384  MILITARY    HISTORY   OP    THE  Uers. 

thirty  miles  over  mountains  and  through  ravines,  along  roads 
previously  formed  hy  the  troops  themselves. 

On  night  of  the  12th,  two  batteries  were  erected  fronting 
the  north  face  of  fort- -one  of  two  l8-pounders  and  three  12 
pounders,  to  breach  the  outer  fort  and  third  wall  ;  the  other  of  two 
12-pounders  and  two  5|-inch  howitzers,  to  destroy  the  defences 
on  the  point  of  attack.  Wellesley,  the  same  night,  constructed 
a  battery  of  four  12-pounders,  on  the  mountain,  to  breach 
the  wall  near  south  gate,  or  at  least  divert  the  attention  of  the 
garrison. 

The  construction  of  this  battery  was  a  most  arduous  task  ; 
the  materials  had  to  be  brought  upwards  of  half  a  mile,  up  a 
steep  mountain,  and  the  guns  could  be  hauled  up  only  by  fasten- 
ing tackle  to  the  trees;  all  which  operations  were  completed, 
however,  in  one  night. 

Unfortunately,  the  iron  guns  could  not  be  moved  into  the 
battery,  and  the  brass  guns  produced  little  effect. 

On  the  13th  morning,  a  heavy  fire  was  opened  from  all  these 
batteries.  The  same  night  another  battery  was  erected  for 
mortars  and  howitzers,  and  a  parallel  was  thrown  up  connecting 
the  different  works ;  on  the  night  of  the  14th,  the  breaches 
in  the  walls  of  outer  fort  were  practicable,  and  it  was  resolved  to 
assault  the  place  on  the  loth  morning. 

The  storming-party  consisted  of  flank  companies  of  94th,  and 
of  Native  Corps  in  Colonel  Stevenson's  division,  supported  by 
94th,  and  brigades  of  liieutenant-Colonel  Haliburton  and 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Maclean;  while  two  attacks  were  to  be  made 
on  southern  side :  one  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wallace, 
of  74th — five  companies  78th  and  8th  Native  Infantry,  on  the 
south  gate  ;  the  other  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Chalmers,  con- 
sisting of  five  companies  of  78th  and  10th  Native  Infantry,  on 
north-west  gate. 

On  the  15th,  at  10  a.m.,  the  three  parties  advanced  simul- 
taneously,    Chalmers  arrived  at  north-west  gate  just  as  enemy 


■■■:*, 


(iMe^c/i  o/^^A& 


GAWILGHUR 


SooTe^  of^J%i7'7ori^j'  7i>  cm/^ic7iy . 


C.SoiU  O  It'cU/  (-iScuZcuted  oAer  caffdizre- 


1803.]  MADE  AS    ENGINEERS.  885 

were  attemptiug  to  escape  through  it.  Kenny  and  he  entered 
without  difficulty.  The  wall  of  the  inner  fort,  in  which  no 
breach  had  been  made,  had  then  to  be  earned.  After  some 
attempts  upon  the  gate,  a  place  was  found  suitable  for  escalade. 
This  was  performed  by  Captain  Campbell,  with  light  infantry  of 
9-ith,  who  mounted  the  wall  and  opened  the  gate  for  the 
storming  party  ;  and  the  fort  was  shortly  in  our  possession. 

Vast  numbers  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  while  our  loss  during 
the  siege  and  in  the  storm  was  only  126.  Colonel  Kenny 
was,  however,  wounded ;  Lieutenant  Young,  and  another  officer, 
killed. 

In  the  fort  were  fifty-two  cannon,  2,000  stand  of  English 
arms,  and  150  wall-pieces. 

These  operations,  and  those  in  the  northof  India,  brought  the 
war  to  a  speedy  conclusion,  and  the  Rajah  of  Berar  sued  for  an 
immediate  and  separate  peace.  General  Wellesley  acknowledged 
the  services  of  Captain  Heitland,  Madras  Pioneers. 

During  the  campaign  of  1808,  great  difficulty  was  experienced 
in  getting  forage  for  the  baggage- animals,  and  the  following 
curious  circumstance  was  witnessed  by  Lieutenant  Blakiston  : — 

"  Lolling  one  day  in  my  tent,  my  thoughts  were  naturally 
attracted  to  my  cattle,  who  were  picketed  at  a  short  distance,  with 
nothing  to  chew.  I  observed  one  of  these  stretching  out  his 
head  to  a  turban,  belonging  to  one  of  the  servants  ;  after  giving 
it  a  turn  or  two  with  his  nose,  he  seized  the  loose  end  in  his 
mouth,  and  began  to  swallow  it.  He  swallowed  and  swallowed 
until,  of  about  ten  yards  of  stuff,  a  small  bit  only  remained 
pendant.  I  observed  his  operations  for  about  an  hour;  at  tliis 
critical  moment  the  owner  returned,  and,  looking  for  his 
turban,  he  beheld  the  end  dangling  from  the  mouth  of  the 
animal.  With  an  oath,  he  flew  at  the  bullock,  and,  seizing  the 
end,  pulled  and  pulled,  hand  over  hand,  and  oath  upon  oath, 
while  the  tattered  but  still  connected  cloth  came  forth  like  a 
measuring-tape  out  of  its  case.     The  man's  rage  and  gestures, 

25 


386  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  ri803. 

and  the  beast's  astonishment  at  the  novel  kind  of  emetic  he  was 
undergoing,  and  the  attitude  of  both,  formed  a  scene  absolutely 
irresistible." 

At  the  siege  of  Ahmednugger,  "  one  of  those  enormous 
engines  called  Malabar  guns  was  fired  at  our  works.  The  man 
stationed  on  the  flank  of  the  battery  for  the  purpose  of  giving 
notice  of  the  advent  of  shot,  &c.,  seeing  the  flash,  gave  the  usual 
signal:  'Shot!'  A  moment  afterwards,  seeing  a  large  body 
taking  its  curving  course  through  the  air,  he  corrected  himself 
by  calling  out:  'Shell!'  As  the  ponderous  missile  (an 
enormous  stone  shot)  approached,  he  could  not  tell  what  to  make 
of  it,  and  his  astonishment  vented  itself  in  the  exclamation : 
'  Blood  and  'ouns,  mortar  and  all  !  ' " 

"  At  the  battle  of  Assaye,  Lieutenant  Blakiston  was  twice 
struck  by  shot,  but  not  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  returned  as 
wounded.  The  first  was  a  graze  in  the  wrist,  which  cut  through 
his  coat  and  shirt,  but  carried  away  only  a  small  portion  of  skin. 
The  next  was  from  a  spent  piece  of  grape-shot,  which  hit  him  in 
the  pit  of  the  stomach,  so  as  to  take  his  breath  away,  and  cause 
him  to  nearly  fall  from  his  horse." 

"  Several  standards  were  the  trophies  of  this  victory ;  these 
were  chiefly  picked  up  by  the  pioneers  when  burying  the  dead. 
Not  seeing  any  intrinsic  value  in  them,  they  had  given  them  to 
their  wives  to  make  petticoats  of,  from  which  ignoble  purpose 
they  were  rescued." 

At  the  battle  of  Argaum,  Lieutenant  Blakiston  witnessed  "  a 
curious  mode  of  attack  adopted  by  the  J  9th  Dragoons,  in  their 
pursuit  of  the  native  horsemen,  whose  bodies  were  so  protected 
that  there  was  no  getting  a  cut  at  them,  while  their  heads  were 
protected  by  a  large  turban,  with  a  thick  pad  over  ears  and  neck. 
To  eflPect  their  object  they  first  gave  point  at  their  turbans,  and 
that  being  knocked  off,  they  had  a  fair  cut  at  the  head  ' 

"  The  exertions  of  the  army  during  the  siege  of  Gawilghur, 
and  in  the  previous   operation,   of  cutting  a    road   through  the 


1803.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  387 

mountains,  was  such  as  to  call  foriL  the  warmest  applause  of  the 
General.  The  pioneers,  as  usual,  performed  their  tusk  in  the 
most  efficient  manner.  But  the  conduct  of  Captain  Johnson, 
of  the  Engineers,  was  the  theme  of  admiration  from  the  General 
downwards.  To  great  natural  and  acquired  talents,  he  joined  a 
zeal  and  an  ardour  in  his  professional  duties  which  I  never  saw 
equalled.  Having  no  one  to  assist  him  in  the  duties  of  an 
engineer,  (Blakiston  was  with  the  other  force,)  he  was  compelled 
to  live  constantly  in  the  trenches  during  the  siege  ;  but  a  strong 
constitution  enabled  him  to  get  over  it  without  injurv." 

Blakiston,  who  for  nearly  a  fortnight  had  not  been  to  bed, 
and  most  of  that  time  without  a  tent,  while  the  thermometer  in 
the  shade  during  the  day  was  upwards  of  100°,  and  during  the 
night  down  to  freezing-point,  was  seized  as  soon  as  siege 
(Gawilghur)  was  over  with  a  severe  attack  of  dysentery 
Blakiston  also,  for  nearly  a  year  afterwards,  suffered  from  guinea 
worm. 

Captain  Johnson,  of  Engineers,  in  his  report  on  tlie  siege, 
remarked  that  "  in  the  performance  of  this  service  all  the  good 
qualities  of  British  troops  have  been  conspicuous  to  a  degree 
which  I  have  seldom  witnessed.  In  bringing  on  their  ordnance 
and  stores  to  the  point  of  attack,  the  troops  of  Colonel  Steven- 
son's division  performed  the  most  laborious  work,  with  a  zeal  for 
tiie  service,  and  patience  and  perseverance  never  surpassed  ;  and 
when  opposed  to  the  enemy,  their  conduct  showed  the  same 
gallant  spirit  that  has  carried  the  British  troops  through  so  many 
difficulties  in  the  course  of  this  war.*' 

The  troops  expected  to  make  their  fortunes  at  Gawilghur,  us 
immense  treasures  were  reported  to  be  deposited  in  the  fort. 
But  little  booty  was,  however,  found.  A  great  deal  of  specie 
and  jewels  had  been  carried  off  during  the  siege,  owing  to  the 
impossibility  of  investing  tiie  fortress  properly. 

On  20th  November,  the  troops  returned  to  Ellichpore,  and 
began   tiicir  murch    towards   Nagpore,    the   capital  of  the  Berar 

26  • 


388  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  ti808. 

Raja;  Colonel  Stevenson  remaining  to  keep  Scindia  in  check. 
The  Berar  Raja  now  sent  Vakeels  to  our  camp,  and  on  ITtli 
Decemher,  a  treaty  of  peace  was  signed  in  our  camp  at 
Deogaum. 

On  30th  Decemher,  Scindia,  finding  himself  left  in  the  lurch, 
concluded  a  treaty  also.  The  Nizam's  subsidiary  force  now 
went  into  cantonments  at  Jaulna,  while  Wellesley's  division 
returned  towards  Poona.  Two  or  three  marches  distant  from 
Ahmednugger,  Wellesley  dispersed  a  large  body  of  Pindarree 
Horse  with  some  loss.  When  within  some  120  miles  of  Poona, 
Wellesley  found  he  was  required  at  Poona  and  Bombay,  so  he 
left  the  division  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Wallace,  and 
pushed  on  with  Blakiston,  who  was  to  survey  the  road  while 
accompanying  the  General  He  had  to  survey  daily  twenty- 
five  miles  of  road  for  five  days,  and  as  he  was  sufi'ering  severely 
from  guinea  worm,  his  task  was  a  hard  one.  After  remaining 
at  Poona  a  few  days  to  consult  with  Colonel  Close,  Wellesley  set 
off  for  Bombay.  He  had  previously  asked  Blakiston  to  accom- 
pany him,  but  the  latter  was  obliged  to  decline  the  honour 
owing  to  the  troublesome  guinea  worms. 

At  the  end  of  March,  Wellesley  returned  from  Bombay,  and 
having  organised  a  subsidiary  force  for  the  Peishwa,  under 
Colonel  Wallace,  left  for  jVIadras. 

That  part  of  the  force  which  formed  no  portion  of  the  sub- 
sidiary force,  marched  to  the  south,  under  Lieutenant- Colonel 
Hill,  and  Blakiston  accompanied  this  detachment.  They  reached 
the  banks  of  the  Toongaboodra  about  the  end  of  May.  Thence 
Blakiston  obtained  leave  to  visit  his  brother,  who  commanded 
the  fort  of  Bednore. 

General  Wellesley,  on  15th  December  1803,  in  a  letter  to  the 
Governor  General,  thus  writes : — "  Captain  Burke,  who  com- 
manded the  artillery  with  subsidiary  force,  Captain  Heitland  of 
the  Pioneers,  and  Captain  Johnson  of  the  Bombay  Engineers, 
are  also  entitled  to  acknowledgments.     The  two  latter  were  sent 


1803.]  MADEAS   ENGINEERS.  389 

from  my  division  to  assist  Colonel  Stevenson.  Upon  the  occa- 
sion of  mentioning  the  name  of  Captain  Johnson,  I  cannot  omit 
to  inform  your  Excellency  that  throughout  this  campaign,  that 
officer  has  performed  the  most  important  service  in  the  depart- 
ment of  the  Guides  entrusted  to  his  charge,  and  I  have  no 
doubt  but  that  his  surveys  will  be  a  valuable  public  acquisi- 
tion." 

While  the  eampaign  under  Wellesley  was  in  progress,  the 
occupation  of  the  mountainous  district  of  Cuttack  was  resolved 
upon. 

The  force  destined  for  this  service  was  assembled  under 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell  at  Ganjam,  and  consisted  of — 
573  Europeans  and  2,-468  Native  Infantry  and  Cavalry,  with 
some  artillery,  besides  500  Bengal  Volunteers,  and  a  battering- 
train  of  four  l8-pounders  and  four  12-pouuders,  and  two 
Sl-inch  howitzers. 

This  force  moved  on  8th  September;  but  after  one  day's 
march,  Colonel  Campbell  suffered  so  from  fever,  that  his  life  was 
despaired  of,  and  he  was  carried  back.  His  successor,  Lieute- 
nant-Colonel Harcourt,  of  12th,  and  Military  Secretary  to  the 
Governor- General,  arrived  at  Py ghee  on  11th  September.  He 
occupied  Manickpatam  on  14th,  without  any  resistance  from  the 
Mahrattas.  The  Engineers  with  the  force  were  Captain  Blunt, 
B.E.,  Lieutenant  W.  Kaveushaw,  M.E.,  and  the  Pioneers  were 
commanded  by  Lieutenant  Sheppard.  Having  in  two  days 
passed  the  outlet  of  the  Chilka  lake.  Colonel  Harcourt  marched 
on  17th  to  Nursingapatam,  and  thence  next  day  to  Jagarnaut. 
On  the  24th  he  marched  to  Ahmadpore,  after  experiencing  great 
difficulties  owing  to  the  inundated  state  of  the  country.  The 
advanced  guard  was  frequently  annoyed  by  the  enemy. 

The  difficulties  that  impeded  the  march  detained  the  heavy 
baggage  and  guns  five  days,  when  Colonel  Harcourt  proceeded 
to  Biirpoorshuttumpore,  where  he  was  again  detained  till  Jird 
October,  by  badness  of  the  road,  and  by  rain. 


390  MILITAEY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [laoJ. 

From  this  place,  a  force  under  Captain  Hutchinson  was 
detached  to  occupy  a  position  near  Muckundpore.  Notwith- 
standing vigorous  opposition,  he  effected  his  object,  with  a  loss 
of  twenty-three  killed  and  wounded. 

On  night  of  the  4th,  Colonel  Harcourt  moved  towards 
Muckundpore,  when  his  advance  was  vigorously  opposed  by 
the  enemy.  At  length  they  were  dispersed,  and  the  division  met 
with  nothing  further  to  impede  its  march  to  the  banks  of 
the  Kutgoory. 

Colonel  Harcourt,  on  his  entrance  into  the  province,  made 
preparations  for  the  reduction  of  the  fort  of  Barabuttee,  which 
stands  about  a  mile  from  Cuttack.  The  fort,  built  of  stone, 
was  surrounded  by  a  wet  ditch  thirty  feet  deep,  filled  from  the 
Mahanuddy,  and  varied  in  breadth  from  thirty-five  to  135  feet, 
having  over  it  a  narrow  bridge  leading  to  the  only  entrance.  A 
battery  for  one  12-pounder,  two  G-pounders,  and  two  howitzers, 
being  completed  on  13th  October,  at  £00  yards  from  outer  gate 
of  fort,  commenced  firing  early  on  the  I4th,  and  by  II  a.m.  most 
of  the  defences  on  the  south  face,  against  which  our  fire  was 
directed,  were  taken  off,  and  the  guns  of  the  enemy  silenced. 
Orders  were  then  given  to  Colonel  Clayton  to  advance  with  the 
storming  party."*^  Two  hundred  Europeans  of  H.M  's  22nd  and 
Madras  Europeans,  400  sepoys  from  20th  Bengal  and  9th  and 
1 9th  Regiments  Madras  Native  Infantry,  accompanied  by  artillery- 
men, and  one  6  pounder  to  blow  open  the  gate. 

In  passing  the  bridge,  the  party  were  exposed  to  a  heavy  but 
ill-directed  fire,  and  forty  minutes  elapsed  before  they  could  suc- 
ceed in  blowing  open  the  gate,  it  having  been  strengthened  by 
large  masses  of  stone.  At  length  they  succeeded,  and  the 
storming  party  passed  through  singly,  with  such  boldness  and 
celerity,  that  in  spite  of  the  resistance  at  the  inner  gates,  they 
were  soon  masters  of  the  fort. 

*  Lieutenant  Ravenshaw  accompanied  the  assaulting  party. 


1803.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  391 

Our  loss  was  only  five  killed  and  twenty-nine  wounded;  among 
the  latter  three  officers. 

During  the  assault,  the  storming  party  displayed  the  courage 
and  coolness  which  uniformly  distinguished  the  operations  of 
our  armies  in  every  part  of  India,  and  the  marked  approbation 
of  the  Governor-General  was  bestowed  on  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Harcourt,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Clayton,  Captain  Blunt,  Field 
Engineer  (Bengal),  Captain  Hetzlar,  Bengal  Artillery,  and 
Brigade-Major  Thomson,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ferguson,  Captain 
Morgan,  and  Captain  Grant 

The  capture  of  Barabuttee  was  followed  by  the  entire  submis- 
sion of  the  province  of  Cuttack — 160  miles  long  by  sixty  miles 
broad,  and  containing  1,200,000  inhabitants 

Colonel  Harcourt  in  his  despatch  remarked  : — "  I  cannot 
omit  expressing  in  the  strongest  manner  the  high  sense  I  enter- 
tain of  the  services  of  Captain  Blunt,  Field  Engineer,  who  has 
been  throughout  our  campaign  indefatigably  active. ' 

Lieutenant  Shepherd,  of  the  Madras  Europeans,  had  been 
appointed  to  command  the  Pioneers  with  the  force.  This 
appointment  was  not  approved  of,  and  Colonel  Harcourt  wrote 
requesting  in  the  strongest  terms  that  the  appointment  might 
be  allowed,  and  he  declared — 

"  Upon  my  honour  that  the  services  I  have  experienced  from 
the  Pioneers,  under  the  zealous  and  efficient  exertions  of 
Lieutenant  Shepherd  have  greatly  contributed  to  my  early 
success  in  this  province.  Without  the  Pioneers  under  an  active 
superior  officer,  I  do  not  think  it  would  have  been  practicable  for 
me  to  have  brought  up  the  12-pounders  and  my  heavy  stores; 
and  as  yet  (22nd  October  1808)  I  have  much  need  of  the  con- 
tinuance of  their  services  in  bringing  up  the  remainder  of  the 
heavy  guns,  and  in  attending  the  detachments  it  will  be  necessary 
to  send  out  completely  to  settle  the  country.  I  intend  to 
employ  the  Pioneers  in  opening  a  direct  communication  with 
the  Bararaahl  pass,  where  I  intend   to  establish  a  post  to  com- 


892  MILITAEY   HISTOEY   OF    THE  [1803-4. 

maud  the  pass,  it  being  the  only  practicable  road  from  Nagpore, 
&c.  to  Cuttack." 

Lieutenant  Shepherd's  appointment  was  confirmed. 

In  order  to  complete  the  subjugation  of  Cuttack,  a  corps  under 
Major  Forbes  was  detached  to  occupy  he  defile  of  Bermuth. 
This  service  was  successfully  performed  on  the  2nd  November, 
and  while  the  enemy  escaped  with  difficulty  across  the  moun- 
tains, the  inhabitants  gave  every  proof  of  their  attachment  to 
the  British,  by  providing  the  detachment  with  all  sorts  of  pro- 
visions. Major  Forbes  was  met  by  Vakeels  from  the  Rajah  of 
Bood,  and  Ranah  of  Sonapore,  and  others,  to  submit  them- 
selves to  the  British  Government.  Having  accomplished  every 
part  of  this  well-planned  expedition,  the  troops  in  Cuttack  made 
preparationsi  for  entering  Berar  through  defile  of  Bermuth,  to 
co-operate  with  Wellesley.  Owing,  however,  to  the  success  of 
Wellesley,  and  the  consequent  peace,  it  was  deemed  unneces- 
sary to  continue  the  operations. 

On  22nd  December,  the  treaty  of  peace  with  Ragojee  Bonsla 
Rajah  of  Berar,  was  ratified. 

Hostilities  with  Holkar  were  avoided  as  long  as  possible ; 
but  on  16th  April  1804,  Lord  Wellesley  gave  directions  to  Lord 
Lake  to  continue  hostilities  with  Jeswant  Row  Holkar,  and 
Wellesley  was  directed  to  co-operate  in  the  way  he  should  judge 
best. 

On  24th  June  1804,  he,  however,  resigned  the  military  and 
political  powers  vested  in  him  by  the  Governor-General,  in 
consequence  of  the  Governor- General's  instructions  of  25th 
May,  and  proceeded  by  Seringapatam  and  Madras  to  Fort 
William. 

When  Wellesley  quitted  the  army,  the  force  which  composed 
the  subsidiary  force  serving  under  the  Peishwa  was  placed  under 
the  command  of  Lieutenant- Colonel  Wallace,  and  that  serving 
with   the  Nizam,  under   Lieutenant-Colonel    Haliburtou.*     At 

*  From  Colonel  Welsh's  Reminiscences 


1804.] 


MADEAS    ENGINEEKS.  393 


this  time,  Colonel  Murray  was  commanding  the  forces  in  Malwa, 
and  was  to  receive  orders  from  the  authorities  at  Bombay,  while 
Wallace  and  Haliburton  were  to  look  to  the  Residents  at  Pooua 
and  Hy  drab  ad. 

On   22nd  August,  the   forces    under    Colonel   Wallace,  con- 
sisting of — 

Artillery — two   12-pounders,   two  howitzers,  and  four 

6-pounders  ; 
H.M.'s  74th,  200  men  ; 
5th  and  7th  Native  Cavalry,  600  ; 
3rd  Native  Infantry,  600  ; 
8th  „  500 ; 

Two  companies  of  Pioneers. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Coleman  commanding  Infantry  Brigade  ; 
,,  Huddleston       ,,  Cavalry  ; 

marched  from  Poona. 

On  27th  September,   near  Aurungabad,  they  were  joined  by 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Haliburton's  force  : — 

94th  Regiment     300 


2nd  Native  Infantry 

7th 

J  1th 

3rd  Native  Cavalry 

6th 


900 
900 
700 
400 
300 

Artillery — two    18-pounders,    four    12-pounders,    two 
howitzers  and  field -pieces. 

The  whole  force  then  amounted  to — 

500  Eurnpeans. 
1,300  Native  Cavalry. 
3,600  Native  Infantry. 

200  Pioneers. 

Besides  artillerymen  for  two  18-pounders,  six  12-pounders,  four 
howitzers  and  field-pieces.     Total,  over  6,000  men. 

"  On   8th  October,   after  a  wet,  disagreeable  march,  the  force 


394  MILITAEY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1604. 

arrived  within  two  miles  of  the  pettah  of  Chandore,  about  eighty 
miles  west-by-north  o-f  Aurungabad,  and  encamped  to  the 
south  on  good  ground.  This  hill-fort  forms  part  of  a  long 
range  of  mountains  running  nearly  east  and  west.  It  is  1,600 
feet  above  the  plain,  and  having  a  perpendicular  scarp  on  the 
summit  about  a  hundred  feet  high  all  round,  might  easily  be 
made  impregnable." 

"  The  only  passage  up  being  through  gateways,  built  one 
above  the  other  against  this  enormous  scarp.  These  gateways 
are  flanked  by  large  circular  bastions,  and  those  are  the  only 
works  in  the  fort,  which  is  a  large  barren  plain  of  great  extent, 
capable  of  containing  5,'  00  or  6,000  men.  At  the  base  of  the 
only  accessible  side  is  a  very  large  pettah  with  six  gates  within 
long  shot  of  the  hill." 

"  On  the  evening  of  the  8th,  the  picquets  and  74th  took  pos- 
session of  the  town  without  opposiuon,  and  established  them- 
selves over  the  gateway  next  the  fort,  from  whence  a  good  foot- 
path led  to  the  upper-gate,  with  a  small  outwork  half-way  up, 
defended  by  musketry  and  guns  " 

Captain  Johnson,  of  the  Bombay  Engineers,  was  Chief 
Engineer  and  Quartermaster-General.  It  was  resolved  to  assault 
the  place,  and  a  column  set  out  at  3  a.m  on  10th  October,  con- 
sisting of — 

Two  companies  94th. 
150  men  of  picquets,  and 
300  Native  Infantry. 
Major  Campbell  commanding. 

"  Captain  Johnsion,  of  Engineers,  conducted  Major  Campbell 
by  a  road  he  had  explored  the  day  before,  which  fully  proved  his 
ability  and  discernment,  as  it  enabled  us  to  cut  off  all  the  diffe- 
rent parties  and  outposts  from  the  fort ;  and  so  well  was  it 
managed,  that  the  first  intimation  of  cur  approach  was  given  by 
our  bayonets.  The  Arabs  thus  surprised,  made  but  little  resist- 
ance,  and  by    6  a.m.  we  had  possession  of  everything  up  to  the 


1804.] 


MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  395 


very  gate  of  the  fort.  The  fugitives  endeavoured  to  get  into 
the  fort  by  the  gate,  but  were  refused  admittance,  in  case  our 
force  should  follow  them  in.  A  number  of  horses,  bullocks, 
and  arms  fell  into  our  hands,  and  we  found  their  outposts  so 
tenable,  that  Captain  Welsh  was  left  in  command  of  the  whole 
with  lUO  Europeans  and  370  sepoys,  comfortably  lodged  in 
chjultries,  outworks,  &c.,  at  different  distances  from  the  gate, 
completely  cutting  off  all  communications  from  without," 

The  enemy  lost  forty  men  dead,  while  we  had  only  three  men 
wounded 

Two  days  after  we  had  thus  established  ourselves  on  the  hill, 
the  garrison  surrendered,  and  were  permitted  to  march  out  (300 
men)  with  their  effects. 

The  fort  was  found  astonishingly  strong,  the  scarp  being  150 
feet  perpendicular,  and  the  passage  through  the  two  upper  gate- 
ways cut  in  solid  rock,  very  narrow,  and  thirty  feet  long.  It 
did  not  appear  as  if  it  had  been  inhabited,  and  it  was  supposed 
that  our  sudden  appearance  drove  the  garrison  from  the  pettah  to 
the  fort.  They  had  thus  been  cut  off  from  all  supplies,  and 
were  obliged  to  surrender. 

On  the  same  day  that  we  marched  against  Chandore,  the  7th 
Native  Infantry,  under  Captain  John  Brown,  was  sent  against 
Lassulgaum,  twelve  miles  south  of  Chandore. 

They  marched  to  the  pettah  gate,  blew  it  open,  and  advanced 
with  little  opposition,  till  they  reached  the  opposite  side,  where 
there  was  a  citadel,  with  bastions  towering  over  the  suburbs.  A 
heavy  fire  was  opened  on  them,  and  Captain  Brown  and  Lieu- 
tenant Purvis  were  killed,  and  Lieutenant  Parlby  wounded. 

Loss  at  Lassulgaum — 

2  officers,    3  Europeans,  and    6  Natives  killed    ...      11 
1        „        13  „  24       „        wounded       37 

Total,  killed  and  wounded       ...  ...     48 


896  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1804. 

The  rest  retreated  into  the  pettah  and  sent  for  assist- 
ance. Reinforcements  sent  under  Major  Simmons  reached 
on  morning  of  the  9th,  and  commenced  to  hammer  the  defences. 
Four  guns  soon  demolished  the  parapet,  and  a  storming  party 
blew  open  the  gate,  and  entered.  They  were  assailed  by  a  party 
of  Arabs  who  were  all  killed,  with  but  small  loss  on  our 
side. 

On  the  ]7th  (having  been  detained  by  rain),  we  rjoarched  ten 
miles,  passed  Chandore,  and  descended  a  gbaut. 

"  On  the  19th,  marched  fourteen  miles  over  a  wild  country, 
crossed  the  Geernah — a  large  and  deep  river — and  encamped  at 
Angara. 

"  On  the  20th,  army  moved  through  cotton  ground,  full  of 
ravines  for  ten  miles,  crossed  another  branch  of  the  Geernah,  and 
encamped  near  Cashtee  and  Dablee. 

"On  the  21st,  after  passing  through  two  hills  at  eastern 
extremity  of  a  range,  we  encamped  within  three  miles  of  fort  of 
Galnah,  eighty-seven  north-west  of  Aurungabad.  This  fort 
stands  on  a  single  hill,  not  very  high  (about  600  feet),  but 
steep  and  rocky.  It  is  fortified  all  round.  On  the  pettah  or 
east  side,  where  the  bill  is  most  slanting,  there  are  two  good 
walls  of  masonry.  There  are  several  works  on  the  pettab  side, 
through  which  is  the  only  gateway,  with  stone  steps  leading  up 
to  it,  and  some  also  in  east  face  to  counteract  the  effects  of  a 
small  hill.  The  ascent  is  everywhere  steep  and  difficult,  and 
walls  strong.  On  the  summit  there  is  a  smooth  space  500  x  400 
yards,  and  100  feet  above  the  upper  walls. 

"On  22nd  October,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Coleman  stormed  the 
pettah,  and   approaches  at  3  a.m.     The   small  hill  on  the  east 

*  Lientenant-Colonel  Wallace  wrote  as  follows  to  Colonel  Close,  resident  at 
Poena,  regarding  capture  of  Chandore  :  "  To  Major  Campbell,  H.M.'s  94th,  my 
thanks  are  particularly  due  for  the  successful  and  judicious  attack  made  by  him 
on  the  advanced  posts  of  the  enemy,  on  the  morning  of  the  10th,  and  to  Captain 
Johnson,  of  Bombay  Engineers,  for  the  activity  and  professional  knowledge 
displayed  by  him  on  that  and  every  occasion  " 


1804.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  397 

was  taken  possession  of  by  a  party  under  Captain  Welsh,  and 
Colonel  Coleman  entered  the  pettah  about  daybreak  without 
opposition.  A  breaching  battery  was  now  erected  a  short  dis- 
tance west  of  the  pettah.  Our  battery,  of  eight  guns,  opened 
fire  on  morning  of  24th,  and  played  all  day  on  two  spots  in 
north-west  face,  the  one  a  salient,  the  other  a  re-entering 
angle." 

"  In  the  latter  a  breach  was  effected  by  sunset,  but  the  former 
resisted  the  shot  so  completely,  that  the  Artillery  were  obliged 
to  take  a  new  object  for  next  day." 

"  Two  artillerymen  (followed  by  Captain  Fisher,  Bombay  Artil- 
lery, and  two  more  men)  examined  the  breach  this  night.  They 
pronounced  it  quite  impracticable.  They  were  fired  at,  and 
one  wounded,  when  they  all  rolled  to  the  bottom  of  the  hill, 
much  bruised  and  with  a  quantity  of  thorns  sticking  in  them, 
but  otherwise  unhurt,  with  the  exception  of  the  man  first  shot, 
who  was  sent  to  hospital  ;  but  he  was  not  found  to  be  mortally 
wounded,  although  he  had  two  balls  in  his  body." 

"  On  the  25th,  our  guns  opened  on  a  new  spot,  and  played 
till  1 1  A.M.,  when  both  breaches  were  reported  assailable,  and 
two  storming  parties  were  prepared.  The  Grenadiers  were  to 
storm  the  right,  and  the  Light  Infantry  the  left,  under  Colonel 
Coleman.  Just  as  they  were  starting,  the  Killadar  hung  out 
flags  of  truce,  and  requested  a  cessation  of  two  hours,  when  they 
would  evacuate  the  place,  or  we  should  commence  again.  At  the 
conclusion  of  these  two  hours,  our  batteries  reopened  ;  this  soon 
brought  a  messenger  down,  with  a  promise  to  surrender  the 
lower  gate  at  gunfire  next  morning  The  next  day  at  dawn, 
the  Killadar  came  down,  and  we  took  possession  of  the  outer 
gate. 

"We  found  100  guns  and  swivels  mounted  on  the  works,  and 
a  large  quantity  of  grain. 

"  Our  loss  was  only  one  killed  and  ten  wounded,  but  several 
had  narrow  escapes,  as  their  marksmen  hit  Colonel  Coleman,  the 


398  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1804-5. 


indefatigable  Johnson  (Bombay  Engineers),  and  one  or  two 
other  officers,  without  causing  any  serious  injury." 

"Our  army  now  moved  round  to  the  pettah  side,  while  the 
Pioneers  were  employed  in  making  a  road  for  our  battering 
guns." 

The  breaches  were  repaired,  and  a  garrison  left  in  Galnah. 
The  army  marched  on  3rd  November,  leaving  heavy  guns  and 
stores  behind. 

On  the  5th,  it  reached  river  Paunjur,  and,  keeping  along  its 
banks,  arrived  at  Cowtullah,  near  Sonegeer,  forty  miles  from 
Galnah,  about  the  13th. 

Colonel  Wallace  returned  before  the  close  of  the  year  1804, 
with  the  head-quarters  of  Poona  subsidiary  force  to  Poona. 

In  February  1805,  a  detachment  of  Pioneers  formed  a  part 
of  a  brigade  sent  from  Hydrabad  to  join  Poona  subsidiary  force, 
under  Colonel  Wallace,  at  Ahmednugger  ;  and  a  detachement 
was  also  employed  this  year  on  field-service,  under  Colonel 
Doveton,  in  Candeish  and  Berar. 

It  was  on  3rd  September  this  year,  that  Government  deter- 
mined to  make  provision  for  the  families  of  native  officers  and 
soldiers  killed  in  action. 

The  half-pay  of  their  rank  was  to  be  paid  to  the  nearest  heir, 
and  to  be  continued  during  her  life  if  the  nearest  heir  was  a 
woman. 

In  December  180S,  the  2nd  battalion  of  Pioneers  served  with 
a  force  under  Colonel  John  Montresor,  in  the  Wynaad.  During 
that  month,  they  had  a  series  of  small  engagements,  from  the 
9th  to  the  15th,  at  Chunveratta,  Naduvenaad,  and  Chavacherry, 
when  one  pioneer  was  wounded. 

In  August  1804.,  the  same  battalion  was  employed  under 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Darley,  in  an  attack  on  the  Pollums  of 
Poloor  Droog,  amongst  the  Javadie  hills.  In  this  service,  the 
force  lost  four  killed  and  twenty-three  wounded  ;  the  losses  of  the 
Pioneers  being  one  killed   and    one    wounded.     Thev  were  also 


1805-6.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  399 

present  at  the  capture  of  the  fort  of  Bunjari,  on  27th  August. 
In  December  of  the  same  year,  they  were  engaged  with  a  detach- 
ment under  Lieutenant- Colonel  Moneypenny,  in  an  attack  on 
the  Poligars  of  Chittoor.  This  service  ended  in  March  1805, 
by  the  capture  of  the  Raja  ;  and  bis  execution  put  an  end  to  the 
troubles  in  that  part  of  the  country.  Our  losses  were  only  four 
killed,  and  four  wounded. 

In  January  1805,  the  Court  of  Directors  determined  to 
"  appoint  twenty-eight  cadets  for  our  artillery  and  engineers  in 
India,  who  will  receive  their  education  at  the  Royal  Military 
Academy  at  Woolwich." 

On  22nd  January  1805,  Captain  Bagshaw  was  appointed  to 
command  1st  battalion  of  Pioneers,  vice  Heitland.  Beyond  that 
mentioned  above,  there  appears  to  have  been  no  military  service 
of  consequence  in  1805  ;  but  in  January  1806,  Captain  Bagshaw 
requested  that  the  sick  with  him  might  have  field  allowances,  in 
consideration  of  their  having  suffered  much  in  Cotiote  and 
Wynaad,  and  stated  that  he  and  the  remainder  were  in  constant 
readiness  for  field-service. 

A  short  time  before  this,  a  "detachment  of  1st  Pioneers,  con- 
sisting of  2  jemadars,  2  havildars,  2  naigues,  and  105  privates 
and  1  puckally, —  total  112 — were  ordered  to  march  into  tlie 
Wynaad,  to  join  Lieutenant  Blakiston,  to  furnish  all  the  posts 
and  buildings  required  in  Wynaad.  These,  with  the  party 
previously  in  Wynaad,  and  those  recently  ordered  from  Seringa- 
patam,  will  give  him  300  at  all  times  for  duty." 

While  in  Wynaad,  Lieutenant  Blakiston  was  concerned  in  an 
expedition  to  capture  one  of  the  proscribed  rebels,  Karvery 
Allery.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hill  was  commanding.  Having 
heard  that  the  rebel  was  only  one  coss  distant  from  camp,  he 
divided  his  force  into  three  parts  —one  under  himself,  second 
under  Lieutenant  Blakiston,  and  third  under  Lieutenant  Walker. 
The  rebel  was  surprised,  but  managed  to  escape  in  the  darkness; 
his  wile  and  four  of  his  cliildren   were,  however,   secured.     Five 


400  MILITARY    HISTOEY    OF    THE  [1806. 

privates  of  4th  Native  Infantry  and  four  of  Police   Corps,  were 
wounded  by  arrows. 

On  the  11th  March  1806,  "the  Government,  in  consideration 
of  the  laborious  nature  of  the  duties  upon  which  the  Pioneers 
were  frequently  employed,"  issued  an  order  that  the  Corps  should 
at  all  times  be  entitled  to  full  batta. 

In  June  1806,  it  was  decided  that  captains  commanding  the 
2nd  battalions  of  Pioneers  should  draw  the  batta  of  major,  but 
they  were  to  cease  to  draw  additioual  pay  of  Pioneer  officers 
At  this  time,  the  officers  commanding  were  Captains  Bagshaw 
and  Fitzpatrick. 

Up  to  April  1806,  a  company  of  Madras  Pioneers  remained 
under  the  orders  of  Colonel  Wallace,  at  Poona.  In  a  general 
order  by  that  officer  on  the  oth  of  that  month,  he  directed 
"  that  1st  battalion  2nd,  2nd  battalion  3rd,  and  1st  battalion  8th, 
with  the  company  of  Madras  Pioneers,  will  march  together  under 
orders  of  Lieutenant- Colonel  Chalmers,  from  Poona,  by  Hurry- 
hur,  to  Chittledroog,  where  they  will  receive  further  orders 
from  head-quarters." 


1806.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  401 


CHAPTER  XV. 

The  mutiny  at  Vellore. — Colonel  Gillespie's  report. — Gillespie  thanks  Blakiston. 
Principal  conspirators  executed. — Blakiston  posted  to  Bangalore. — Captain 
George  Johnstone. — Engineer  Corps  in  1809. — Pier  proposed  at  Madras. — 
Attack  on  the  Resident  of  Travnacore. — Fighting  at  Quilon. — Troops  ordered 
to  Travancore. — Battle  of  Quilon. — Capture  of  Arambooly  lines. — Army 
marches  for  the  interior. — Action  near  Xagracoile. — Army  reaches  Trevan- 
drum. — Chalmers  defeats  enemy  at  Kilhanore. — The  Dewan  commits 
suicide,  and  hie  brother  and  friends  are  hanged. — Occupation  of  the  Mauritius 
resolved  on. — Capture  of  St.  Paul's,  Bourbon. — St.  Paul's  abandoned. — 
Attack  on  Bourbon. — Reinforcements  arrive  at  Rodrigues.—  Capture  of 
Bourbon. — Attack  on  the  Isle  of  Passe. — Capture  of  the  Isle  of  Passe. — 
Defences  entrusted  to  Davies. — Davies  wounded  at  Grand  Port. — The  French 
capture  Windham  and  Ceylon,  East-Indiamen. — Astell,  East  Indiaman, 
escapes. — French  make  their  way  into  Grand  Port. —  Windham  recaptured 
by  boats  from  Sirius. — Captains  Pym  and  Willoughby  attack  the  French 
ships  in  the  harbour. — Captain  Willoughby  dreadfully  woimded. — Garrison 
at  Isle  of  Passe  compelled  to  surrender. — Lieutenant  Davies  taken  prisoner. 
— Bourbon  blockaded. — Blakiston  and  C.  E.  Trapaud  at  Bourbon. — Several 
deaths  on  the  march  from  extreme  heat. — Surrender  of  Mauritius. 

In  1806,  the  only  occurrence  of  great  interest  was  the  Mutiny 
at  Vellore.  I  propose  to  describe  this  at  some  length,  as 
Lieutenant  Blakiston,  Madras  Engineers,  was  engaged  under 
Colonel  Gillespie  in  the  relief  of  the  garrison. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  10th  July,  the  native  troops  rose 
against  the  Europeans,  consisting  of  two  companies  of  H.M.'s 
69th.  The  attack  was  quiet  unexpected,  and  the  hour  about 
3  A.M.    The  British  troops  maintained  possession  of  the  barracks 

26 


402  MILITAEY  HISTORY   OF   THE  [1806. 

for  a  considerable  time,  exposed  to  a  heavy  fire ;  when  this 
position  became  untenable,  a  part  escaped  to  the  ramparts,  and 
retained  possession  of  the  Fort  for  several  hours  after  all  the 
combatant  ofiicers  had  been  killed  or  disabled,  and  after  their  am- 
munition was  exhausted.  Colonel  Gillespie,  at  Arcot  (distant  six- 
teen miles),  heard  of  the  attack  at  6  a.m.  Putting  himself  at  head 
of  a  squadron  of  19th  Dragoons,  and  a  troop  of  Native  cavalry,  he 
galloped  to  Vellore  ;  the  remainder  of  the  cavalry  followed  with 
guns,  under  Lieutenant- Colonel  Kennedy.  Colonel  Gillespie 
effected  a  junction  by  being  hauled  up  the  wall.  The  second  de- 
tachment reached  Vellore  at  10  a.m.  The  mutineers  directed  their 
powerful  force  to  the  defence  of  the  interior  gate.  The  gate  was 
burst  open  by  cannon-shot;  (Lieutenant  Blakiston,  of  the  En- 
gineers, accompanied  the  dragoons,  and  was  highly  applauded  by 
Gillespie  for  his  judgment  in  laying  the  gun  by  which  the  gate 
was  burst  open).  A  combined  attack  followed,  which  ended  in  the 
complete  dispersion  of  the  insurgents,  and  restoration  of  the  fort. 
Eight  hundred  of  the  mutineers  fell  in  the  attack,  and  500  were 
made  prisoners  in  Vellore  and  other  places  to  which  they  had  fled. 

The  number  of  Europeans  massacred  was  113 — among  them 
Colonel  Fancourt,  and  thirteen  other  officers. 

The  following  account  of  the  affair  was  given  by  Surgeon 
Jones,  and  Assistant-Surgeon  John  Dean,  who  were  present. 

"  The  following  gentlemen  having  been  previously  alarmed  by 
a  heavy  fire  of  musketry,  met  accordingly  at  the  house  of 
Lieutenant  Ewing,  Jst  Native  Infantry,  at  half-past  3  : — 

69th  :        Captain  Machlaclan. 
Lieutenant  Mitchell. 
„  Boby. 

„  Jenaur. 

1st  Native  Infantry  : 

Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  Ewing. 
Lieutenant  Cutcliffe  (desperately  wounded.) 
Mr.  Surgeon  Jones. 


1806.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  403 

23rd  Native  Infantry : 

Assistant  Surgeant  Dean. 
Sergeant  Brady,  69th. 

"Lieutenant  Ewing  having  previously  received  the  arms  and 
ammunition  of  one  naigue  and  three  sepoys  (the  guard  over 
battalion-books  at  his  house),  everyone  prepared  for  being 
attacked. 

"  In  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  an  attack  was  made  by  a  strong  party 
of  sepoys,  in  front  of  the  house.  After  a  sharp  fire  on  both 
sides,  they  retired,  none  of  us  having  received  any  injury. 

"  On  consideration  it  appeared  desirable  to  retire  to  the  house 
of  Mr.  Surgeon  Jones  (adjoining)  as  being  more  capable  of 
defence,  the  doors,  &c.,  being  better  secured.  This  was 
immediately  done.  At  the  time  of  our  quitting  Lieutenant 
Ewing's  house,  Sergeant  Brady  was  requested  to  go  and 
endeavour  to  procure  information  of  what  was  going  on  ;  and 
on  his  return  an  hour  after,  he  brought  us  the  lamentable  account 
of  the  murder  of  every  European  on  the  different  guards  ;  of 
the  Mysore  flag  being  hoisted;  of  the  European  officers, 
together  with  the  commandant  of  the  garrison,  being  killed; 
many  men  in  the  European  barracks  killed  and  wounded  by  two 
6-pounders,  and  musketry  keeping  up  a  continued  fire  on  them ; 
and  the  whole  fort  appeared  to  him  to  be  in  possession  of  the 
insurgents. 

"  About  7  A.M.,  Lieutenant  Mitchell,  H.M.'s  69th,  left  the  party 
to  endeavour  to  make  his  way  to  the  barracks,  or  to  the  house 
of  Captain  Barrow,  the  senior  officer  of  the  regiment.  Nothing 
had  been  heard  since  our  retreat  to  this  house,  but  confused 
shouting  and  constant  heavy  firing  of  guns  and  musketry  in 
different  parts  of  the  fort. 

"  In  this  state  of  anxious  suspense  did  we  remain  till  8  a.m., 
when  a  strong  party  attacked  the  rear  of  the  house,  and  broke 
the  door  of  the  room  in  which  we  were  posted  to  receive  them. 
After  having   exchanged   fires,  judging  any  further  opposition 

26   * 


404  MILITAEY   HISTOKl    OF    THE  [1606. 

fruitless,  we  retreated  to  the  European  barracks  by  the  front  of 
the  house,  the  insurgents  still  keeping  up  a  fire  on  our  rear 
during  the  retreat.  On  our  entering  the  barracks  they  were 
found  in  the  greatest  confusion,  every  man  sheltering  himself 
in  the  best  way  he  was  able  from  the  shot  which  were  frequently 
fired  from  the  guns  placed  to  command  the  ranges  of  the  cots. 
Many  men  lay  killed  and  wounded.  We  here  found  Lieutenant 
Mitchell.  Having  a  short  time  debated  what  was  best  to  be 
done  (Captain  Maclachlan,  as  senior  officer,  taking  command)  it 
was  determined  to  sally  out  from  the  windows  opposite  the 
Parcherry,  and  to  gain  the  adjoining  ramparts.  Tt  was  found 
the  men  had  been  originally  provided  with  only  six  rounds  of 
ball-cartridges;  many  of  these  had  been  expended  duriug  the 
morning.  At  the  bottom  of  the  rampart  was  a  small  magazine 
for  European  stores.  All  the  ball-cartridges  had  been  taken 
out  by  the  insurgents,  and  nothing  left  but  a  few  blank  ones,  of 
which  some  were  taken.  Having  climbed  up  the  face  of  the 
rampart  under  a  heavy  fire  of  musketry,  we  took  post  in  a 
bastion  near  at  hand  to  collect  the  men.  We  then  advanced  to 
dislodge  the  insurgents  (in  considerable  force)  from  the  north- 
east cavalier,  which  was  accomplished,  but  with  the  loss  of 
Captain  Maclachlan's  further  services  (he  having  received  a 
severe  wound  through  the  thigh),  as  also  of  several  men. 
On  our  way  to  the  attack  of  the  cavalier,  we  were  joined  by 
Captain  Barrow,  69th,  who  then  took  command.  A  party 
having  been  left  at  the  cavalier,  we  proceeded  along  the 
ramparts,  under  a  constant  heavy  fire  of  musketry,  to  take 
possession  of  the  gateway,  which  was  efi"ected.  Wishing  to 
ascertain  if  the  gate  was  open,  we  proceeded  below,  but  found  it 
locked,  and  a  6-pounder  placed  opposite  to  it  for  its  defence. 
The  fire  from  the  palace  at  this  time  was  extremely  heavy. 
Many  men  fell,  and  Lieutenant  Mitchell  was  severely  wounded 
by  a  musket-shot  in  the  arm.  There  being  no  ammunition  with 
the  6-pounder,  it  was  suffered  to  remain,  and  the  party  stationed 


1806.]  MADEAS    ENGINEEES.  405 

over  the  gateway  was  ordered  to  prevent  its  falling  into  the  hands 
of  the  insurgents.  The  men  at  this  time  had  hardly  a  ball- 
cartridge  remaining.  To  attack  the  arsenal  was  deemed 
impracticable,  and  the  only  remaining  cliance  of  getting 
ammunition  was  by  attempting  to  gain  possession  of  the  Grand 
Magazine. 

"  The  main  body  of  the  detachment  proceeded  with  Captain 
Barrow  to  carry  the  bastion  and  cavalier  at  south-east  face  of 
the  fort  which  lay  in  our  way  to  the  flag-staff  and  magazine, 
and  was  there  defended  by  a  strong  party  of  insurgents. 

"  In  advancing,  Captain  Barrow  fell  by  a  musket-shot  passing 
through  both  his  legs.  There  then  remained  no  officer  (except 
Mr.  Surgeon  Jones  and  Mr.  Assistant-Surgeon  Dean)  to  carry 
tlie  plan  into  execution,  who,  leading  on  the  party,  carried  the 
cavalier  and  bastion,  but  with  the  loss  of  several  men. 

"  The  insurgents  chiefly  fled  into  the  body  of  the  fort,  but  many 
posted  themselves  in  the  gateway  of  the  granary.  These  were 
destroyed  bv  a  party  sent  down  from  the  ramparts  for  the 
purpose.  The  party  soon  arrived  at  the  flag-stafl",  and  were 
much  annoyed  by  a  fire  from  the  pettah  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  ditch,  and  from  the  gardens  in  the  fort.  A  soldier,  in 
attempting  to  take  down  the  Mysore  flag,  was  shot  from  the 
pettah.  A  very  heavy  fire  being  kept  up,  and  the  men  falling 
fast,  no  time  was  to  be  lost  in  proceeding  to  the  magazine, 
which  having  been  burst  open,  to  our  general  disappointment 
nothing  but  loose  powder  could  be  obtained.  The  men  at  this 
time  wished  to  proceed  towards,  and  attack  the  sepoy  barracks, 
which  was  instantly  opposed.  Our  numbers  being  very  much 
reduced,  added  to  the  disappointment  of  not  getting  ammunition, 
it  became  our  principal  object  to  return,  and  keep  possession  of 
the  gateway  and  cavaliers  until  the  arrival  of  a  relief,  which  we 
had  hopes  of  soon  seeing. 

"  On  our  return  from  the  magazine,  the  Mysore  flag  was  taken 
down  by  two  men,  who  requested  to  volunteer  for  the  occasion, 


406  MILITAEY   HISTORY    OF    THE  dflOB. 

viz.  Sergeant  MacManus  and  Philip  Bottom,  H.M.'s  69th, 
under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  pettah,  and  fort.  We  returned  to 
the  cavaliers,  and  gateway,  having  left  a  strong  party  at  the 
cavalier  and  hastion  on  south-east  face  for  their  defence. 

"  Soon  after  our  return,  a  party  of  cavalry  were  descried 
approaching  the  fort. 

"  Every  credit  is  due  to  the  soldiers  for  their  obedient, 
steady,  and  spirited  conduct,  aftey  they  had  been  deprived  of 
their  own  officers  in  leading  them  on.  These,  gentlemen,  are 
the  chief  occurrences  that  happened  till  the  arrival  of  the 
cavalry." 

(Signed)         "  John  Jones,  Surgeon. 

„  "  John  Dean,  Assistant-Surgeon. 

"  Vellore.  July  27.  1806.''' 

Colonel  Gillespie  wrote  as  follows  : — 

"  Colonel  Gillespie  begs  to  state  in  a  summary  manner  to 
His  Excellency  the  Commander-in-Chief  the  sentiments  he 
entertains  of  the  meritorious  conduct  of  the  troops  under  his 
command,  as  well  as  that  of  the  remains  of  the  69th,  who 
composed  the  garrison. 

"  To  H.M.'s  19th  Dragoons,  and  the  whole  of  the  cavalry  at 
Arcot,  too  much  praise  cannot  be  given,  and  in  particular  to 
the  advanced  squadron  under  Captain  Young,  conducted  by 
Colonel  Gillespie  in  person,  and  supported  by  a  strong  troop 
of  7th  Native  Cavalry,  under  Lieutenant  Woodhouse.  To 
those  troops,  he  cannot  sufficiently  express  his  thanks  for  the 
alacrity,  promptitude  and  gallantry  with  which  they  obeyed 
his  orders  on  that  perilous  morning,  in  executing  the  necessary 
manoeuvres  they  were  employed  on,  antecedent  to  the  attack 
on  the  fortress. 

"  To  the  officers  of  69th,  who  in  the  early  part  of  the 
insurrection  assembled  their  men  to  make  head  against  the 
barbarous  enemy  who  were  attacking  them  on  all  sides,  too  much 
praise  cannot  be  given;  and  Colonel  Gillespie  has  particularly 


1808.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  407 

to  regret  that  the  gallant  exertions   of   Captains    Barrow  and 
Maclachlan,    Lieutenants    Mitchell  and  Gullet,   and    the  other 
wounded  officers,  were  so  soon  lost  to  the  regiment,  from  those 
officers  being    unfortunately    disabled    early  in    the    day.     The 
remains  of  this  valuablecorps  fought  gallantly  for  several  hours 
without  an  officer,  and  the  Colonel  begs  leave    to  express  his 
admiration  at  their    undaunted   resolution.     Colonel    Gillespie 
here  recurs   with  much  satisfaction    to    the    good    conduct  of 
Doctors  Jones  and  Dean,  whom  he  himself  observed  as  he  ap- 
proached the   gates  exerting  themselves  with   muskets  in  their 
hands.     He  also  understands  that  early  in  the  morning  Lieu- 
tenant Ewing,  1st  Native  Infantry,  behaved  in  a  manner  highly 
meritorious  in    assembling  various  straggling  bodies  of  Euro- 
peans, and  encouraging  them  to  make  a  vigorous  defence.   Colonel 
Gillespie  feels  particularly  obliged   to   Lieutenant  Blakiston,  of 
the  Engineers,  for  the  prompt  and  effectual  manner  in  which  he 
applied  the   guns  of  the  19th  Dragoons  to  the  gate  ;  as  well  as 
for  his  unremitting  perseverance,  and   exertions  in  almost  every 
capacity  during  this  arduous  service.     Colonel  Gillespie  cannot 
but  consider  himself  highly  indebted  to  Captain  Skelton,  of  19th 
Dragoons,  for  the  gallant  manner  in  which  he  headed  the  rapid, 
and  effective  charge  of  the  advanced  squadron  into  the  body  of  the 
place.     To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Kennedy  and  officers  and  men  of 
19th,  to  Captains  Mason  and  Doveton,  with  officers  and  men  of 
their   respective    corps.    Colonel    Gillespie    returns    his    most 
sincere  thanks  for  their  prompt  and  effectual  assistance.    Colonel 
Gillespie  cannot  help  mentioning  in  terms  of  the  highest  appro- 
bation Sergeant  Brady  and  the  remains  of  the   69th  Regiment, 
who  so  bravely  followed  him  in  the  sally  from  the  rampart,  and 
drove  the  enemy  from  their  lurking-places  previous  to  the  charge 
of  the  cavalry. 

"  In  a  detail  of  this  nature  it  would  be  the  height  of  injustice 
in  Colonel  Gillespie  to  overlook  the  very  conspicuous  merits 
and   unremitting    exertions   of    Lieutenant-Colonel    Forbes,    to 


408  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1806. 

whose  judicious  conduct  in  taking  possession  of  the  hill-fort 
too  much  praise  cannot  he  given. 

"  Lastly,  Colonel  Gillespie  considers  it  his  duty  thus  puhlicly 
to  acknowledge  the  obligations  he  is  under  to  Captain  Wilson, 
19th  Dragoons.  That  officer,  who  accompanied  him  as  his 
aide-de  camp  the  whole  day,  acted  immediately  under  his  eye, 
and  was  of  great  use  and  assistance  to  him,  as  well  from  his 
good  understanding,  as  personal  bravery. 

"  Colonel  Gillespie  assures  His  Excellency  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  that  the  promptitude  and  valour  displayed  by  all  the  troops 
on  this  occasion,  will  remain  indelibly  impressed  upon  his 
memory  to  the  last  hour  of  his  existence." 

One  month's  pay  was  presented  to  each  of  the  non-commis- 
sioned officers  and  privates  of  19th  Dragoons  who  were  present 
at  Vellore.  To  all  the  Native  commissioned  officers  of 
cavalry  a  gold  medal  was  presented,  and  a  silver  to  each  non- 
commissioned officer  and  private  who  accompanied  the  party  of 
troops  to  Vellore  on  10th  July. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  remarked  in  his  despatch  regarding 
this  matter  that,  "  Colonel  Gillespie's  party  were  enabled  to  per- 
form a  deed  that  demands  the  gratitude  of  India  "  ;  and  in  con- 
sideration of  Colonel  Gillespie's  gallant  conduct,  he  was  appointed 
to  the  control  of  the  whole  of  the  cavalry,  200  pagodas  a  month 
being  allotted  to  the  appointment.  Colonel  Gillespie's  detach- 
ment took  charge  of  the  whole  of  the  Mysore  princes,  and 
marched  them  to  Madras.  On  arrival,  the  detachment  encamped 
at  the  Race  Stand,  two  miles  west  of  the  Mount,  on  29th 
August,  and  next  day  proceeded  to  the  beach  to  embark  the 
Princes  for  Bengal. 

After  the  embarkation,  the  Horse  Artillery  returned  to  the 
Mount.  The  69th  occupied  barracks  in  the  fort;  19th 
Dragoons,  with  detachment  of  cavalry  and  infantry,  returned  to 
the  Race  Stand,  halted  there  for  three  days,  and  then  returned 
to  their  stations. 


REFEJIENCE 

I  Mva/ui    do 
g  jiUmMi'i^s  in/  C 


offfie 

FOBTBESSoF  l^LLORE . 


A  Of/iteni- Quiirter^ . 
B  /ia.yfun  m  whuA 

Euycpearu-  /irst  b/o,  ^ 
C¥cr2h  Fius-t  Ga/alier 
D  The  Cra^tiva^ 
£  South  Ea<siCava.7;,e, 


1906.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  409 

At  the  time  of  the  mutiny  at  Vellore  in  1806,  Blakiston  was 
in  charge  of  the  works  at  Vellore,  Chittoor,  and  Arcot.  Vellore 
was  his  head-quarters,  and  it  was  only  a  sudden  call  to  inspect 
some  of  his  works  at  Arcot  that  took  him  off  from  Vellore  a  day 
or  two  before  the  catastrophe. 

He  did  not  hear  of  the  business  till  some  time  after 
Gillespie  had  set  off  to  Vellore,  but  he  joined  the  19th  on  the 
march,  and  came  up  with  the  guns  as  they  were  approaching  the 
gateway.  The  colonel  ordered  the  artillery  sergeant  to  blow  the 
gate  open.  Blakiston,  observing  that  he  did  not  know  how  to 
do  this,  ventured  to  give  an  opinion,  and  Colonel  Gillespie  at 
once  put  the  guns  under  his  orders. 

He  directed  the  sergeant  to  load  without  shot,  and  use  it  as  a 
petard  ;  but  finding  it  already  loaded  with  shot,  he  was  directed 
to  discharge  the  piece  at  the  point  where  the  bolt  might  be 
expected.     This  was  done,  and  the  gate  was  burst  open. 

Colonel  Gillespie  then  informed  him  that  he  would  descend, 
and  gave  orders  that  in  a  few  minutes  the  cavalry  should  gallop  into 
the  fort.  The  number  of  sepoys  slain  was  very  great ;  800  bodies 
were  carried  out  of  fort,  besides  those  who  were  killed  outside. 

The  strength  of  the  sepoy  battalion  in  Vellore  was  1,600  men. 
Not  more  than  900  were  killed  A  great  part  of  those  who 
escaped  were  afterwards  apprehended. 

A  large  number  were  tried  by  court-martial  ;  most  of  them 
were  liberated  after  being  confined  for  some  months,  but  nine- 
teen of  the  principal  conspirators  were  executed  at  Vellore, — some 
by  hanging,  some  by  being  shot,  and  some  by  being  blown  away 
from  guns. 

A  few  months  after,  Blakiston  was  ordered  to  Bangalore  in 
consideration  of  his  services  at  Vellore,  and  was  ordered  to  fix 
on  a  site,  and  prepare  plans  for  a  new  cantonment. 

In  less  than  a  year,  he  completed  barracks  for  two  regiments 
of  Europeans,  five  regiments  of  Natives,  and  Artillery,  besides 
hospitals,  &c. 


410  MILITABY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1806 

He  remained  at  Bangalore  for  about  three  years.  On  one 
occasion  the  workmen  engaged  on  his  buildings  struck  for  an 
advance  of  wages.  Ele  remonstrated  with  them,  and  asked 
whether  he  had  not  always  regarded  their  interests  as  his  own. 
"  It  is  true,"  said  one,  advancing  from  the  crowd,  "  master  has 
always  been  a  father  to  us,  and  more  than  a  father,  for  he  has 
been  to  us  as  a  mother  also  ;  but  the  child  must  cry  before  the 
mother  thinks  of  offering  its  breast." 

In  the  year  1800,  Captain  George  Johnstone,  of  the  Madras 
Engineers,  was  dismissed  from  the  Company's  service  under  such 
strange  circumstances  that  they  are  worthy  of  record  in  some  detail. 

In  January  1800,  Captain  Johnstone  was  ordered  from  Ganjam 
to  Masulipatam,  and  he  accordingly  entered  into  an  engagement 
with  certain  boat-owners  to  carry  his  baggage  to  Masulipatam 
for  350  rupees.  They  received  an  advance  of  310  rupees,  and 
the  balance  of  40  rupees  was  to  be  paid  on  their  arrival  at 
Masulipatam  They  promised,  in  consideration  of  this  money, 
to  proceed  immediately,  and  direct  to  Masulipatam,  and  said  they 
would  easily  be  in  in  four  or  five  days.  Instead,  however,  of  going 
direct  to  Masulipatam,  they  proceeded  to  Sonapore,  Bimlipatam, 
Vizagapatam,  and  Coringa,  staying  some  time  at  each  port,  and 
at  Coringa  as  much  as  eight  days.  In  fact,  they  made  a  trading 
voyage  of  it  down  the  coast.  Captain  Johnstone  was  thus  not 
only  put  to  much  inconvenience  by  the  want  of  bis  baggage, 
but  suffered  considerable  loss  by  his  boxes  of  books  and  clothes, 
&c.  being  wet  through,  and  his  furniture  considerably  broken, 
w^hile  the  damage  done  to  Mrs.  Johnstone's  clothes  was  very 
great.  Three  packages  were  also  delivered  short.  On  learning 
all  this,  Captain  Johnstone  applied  to  Mr.  Denton,  master 
attendant,  to  stop  tlie  boats  till  he  could  see  Mr.  Reid,  the 
collector,  with  the  view  of  getting  the  men  punished  Mr.  Reid, 
it  appears,  was  not  at  Masulipatam  at  the  time,  and  Captain 
Johnstone  awaited  his  return.  Meantime  the  boat-people  com- 
plained to  Mr.  Corbett,  commercial  resident,   who  ordered  the 


1806.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  411 

master  attendant  to  let  them  go  without  even  a  reference  to  Cap- 
tain Johnstone,  and  the  first  news  Captain  Johnstone  had  of  this 
was  by  one  of  his  own  servants  informing  him  that  they  were 
going  down  the  river.  Captain  Johnstone  immediately  sent  to 
Mr.  Denton,  and  inquired  why  he  had  let  them  go.  He  replied 
it  was  by  order  of  Mr.  Corbett.  Mr.  Denton  was  again  written 
to,  and  asked  to  come  up  to  Captain  Johnstone's  house  for  a 
minute,  on  which  he  replied  that  "  if  Captain  Johnstone  wanted 
to  speak  to  him  he  might  come  to  his  house,  as  he  was  not  his 
servant."  On  receipt  of  this  message.  Captain  Johnstone  wrote 
the  following  letter  to  Mr.  Corbett : — 

"  Sir, 

"  Having  met  the  height  of  imposition  in  some  people 
who  brought  my  baggage  from  Gaujam,  and  some  of  it  being 
deficient,  I  requested  Mr.  Denton,  beach  master,  to  stop  them 
going  awav  till  I  could  see  Mr.  Reid.  I  am  just  informed  that 
these  people  are  off  with  their  boats,  and  am  likewise  informed 
that  it  was  by  your  orders  to  Mr.  Denton  they  are  gone  I  am 
not  inclined  to  believe  such  an  indelicacy  on  your  part  could 
take  place,  and  shall  be  glad  if  you  will  give  me  a  line  of 
information  on  the  subject. 

"  I  am,  &c. 
(Signed)         "  Geo.  Johnstone. 
"25th  January  J  800." 

To  this  Mr.  Corbett  sent  the  following  reply  :  — 

"  Sir, 

'*  Some  Ganjara  boat-people  complained  to  me  that  they  were 
prevented  from  sailing,  and  that  you  had  taken  their  provisions, 
and  effects.  I  inquired  of  Mr.  Denton  why  he  suflfered  any 
person  to  detain  vessels  in  the  port,  and  that  his  duty  was  to 
give  a  clearance  on  application,  and  that  no  vessel  must  be 
detained  but  bv  particular  order  on  regular  complaint  being 
lodged,  and  that  he  would  be  held  responsible  for  all  consequences. 
What  you  may  deem  indelicacy,  I  deem  my  duty.  Query:  If  it 
had  been  an  European  vessel    which  the  master   attendant   had 


412  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1806. 

taken  upon  himself  to  detain,  and  she  had  been  lost  in  con- 
sequence ?  Mr.  Denton  did  not  inform  me  that  you  had  spoken 
to  him  on  the  business. 

"  I  am,  &c. 
(Signed)         "Vincentio  Corbett. 
"25th  January  1800." 

It  is  evident  that  Mr.  Corbett  behaved  in  a  very  improper 
manner  He  should  certainly  have  informed  Captain  Johnstone, 
and  asked  him  his  reasons  for  detaining  them,  but  he  did  neither, 
and  at  once  took  a  step  decidedly  in  favour  of  the  boat-people. 

On  receipt  of  this  letter,  Captain  Johnstone  became  very 
angry,  and  wrote  the  following  note  :  — 

"Sir, 

"  Your  specious  pretence  of  duty  to  cloak  the  indelicacy 
of  your  behaviour  convinces  me  in  the  opinion  that  I  ever  had, 
that  you  are  a  contemptible  wretch,  and  deserve  to  be  treated 
and  proclaimed  a  scoundrel,  and  such  you  shall  meet  from  me. 

"  Yours, 
(Signed)         "  Geo.  Johnstone." 

Mr.  Corbett  made  a  complaint  to  Colonel  Urban  Vigors,  com- 
mnnding  the  Northern  Division,  and  asked  for  protection.  He 
concludes  his  letter  to  Colonel  Vigors  as  follows :—"  It  will,  I 
make  no  doubt,  appear  to  you,  I  am  called  to  account,  abused, 
and  threatened  to  be  ill-treated,  for  issuing  an  order  in  the  port, 
with  a  view  to  prevent  oppression  too  often  exercised  over  the 
poor  and  helpless,  by  individuals." 

Captain  Johnstone  was  ordered  under  arrest  for  writing  an 
abusive,  insulting,  and  menacing  note  to  Mr.  Corbett,  whilst  in 
the  exercise  of  his  public  duty  as  Commercial  Resident,  on  28th 
January  1800. 

On  23rd  February.  Captain  Johnstone  was  induced  to  write  a 
letter  of  apology  to  Mr.  Corbett,  and  promised  in  it  to  be  more 
guarded  in  his  conduct  towards  him.  Thereupon  Mr.  Corbett 
withdrew  his  complaint ;  and  on   6th  March,  the  Governor-in- 


1806.]  MADEAS   ENGINEERS.  413 

Council,  in  consideration  of  the  atonement  made  by  Captain 
Johnstone,  suspended  his  intention  of  removing  Captain  John- 
stone from  the  Honourable  Company's  service ;  but  at  the  same 
time  expressed  his  most  pointed  disapprobation  of  Captain 
Johnstone's  conduct. 

Captain  Johnstone  was  released  from  his  arrest  on  the 
morning  of  16th  March,  and  appears  to  have  at  once  pro- 
ceeded to  Mr.  Corbett's  house.  He  found  Mr.  Corbett 
and  Captain  Malcolm  sitting  in  the  verandah,  and  addressed 
Mr.  Corbett  thus  :  "  I  have  found  you  at  last,  you  scoundrel," 
and  made  a  stroke  at  him  with  a  whip.  Mr.  Corbett  warded  off 
the  stroke,  and  Captain  Johnstone,  repeated  the  attempt  to  strike, 
and  touched  him  on  the  side.  Captain  Malcolm  then  got 
between  them.  Mr.  Corbett  went  into  his  writing-room, 
and  called  for  his  peons,  but  none  were  present.  On  Mr. 
Corbett  calling  for  his  peons,  Captain  Johnstone  drew  his 
sword,  and  declared  that  if  any  man  attempted  to  lay  hold  of 
him,  he  would  run  him  through  the  body.  He  then  made  use 
of  some  very  opprobrious  language  to  Mr.  Corbett,  walked 
downstairs,  mounted  his  horse,  and  rode  away.  There  were  five 
or  six  black  writers  present  at  this  affair,  who  heard  and  wit- 
nessed all  that  happened. 

Captain  Johnstone  was  tried  by  court-martial — 

Ist.  For  an  unoflBcer-like  and  disrespectful  violation  of  the 
Civil  authority  vested  by  the  Right  Honourable  the 
Goveruor-in-Council  in  the  Commercial  Resident  at 
Masulipitam,  by  using  gross  and  scandalous  expres- 
sions of  menace  and  threat ;  deterring  that  otiicer 
from  the  execution  of  his  public  duty,  and  thereby 
tending  to  subvert  subordination,  discipline,  and 
the  constituted  authorities  of  Government. 
2nd.  For  behaving  in  a  scandalous,  infamous  manner,  such 
as  is  unbecoming  the  character  of  an  officer  and  a 
gentleman,  in  entering  the  house  of  the  Commercial 
Resident  at  Masulipatam,  Mr.  Vincentio  Corbett,  on 


414  MILITARY   HI3T0EY   OP   THE  ti806. 

16th  March  IftOO,  and  in  striking  and  otherwise 
maltreating  that  gentleman,  notwithstanding  he,  the 
said  Captain  Johnstone,  in  a  written  apology 
addressed  hy  him  to  Mr.  Corbett,  the  Commercial 
Kesident,  dated  23rd  February  1800,  had  acknow- 
ledged his  violent  conduct  (stated  in  the  first  charge) 
to  have  been  unprovoked,  and  had  pledged  his  honour 
for  the  future  to  be  more  guarded  in  his  conduct, 
public  and  private,  towards  him,  the  said  Commer- 
cial Resident. 

Captain  Johnstone  was  found  guilty  of  the  first  charge,  but 
acquitted  of  the  far  more  serious  second  charge ;  nevertheless, 
he  was  dismissed  from  the  Company's  service. 

"(The  court-martial  having  taken  into  consideration  some  cir- 
cumstances which  appear  on  the  defence  of  the  prisoner.  Captain 
Johnstone,  of  the  Engineers,  from  which  they  are  induced  to 
believe  that  the  assault  he  committed  on  the  Commercial  Resi- 
dent, Mr.  Corbett,  on  the  16th  March,  was  not  premeditated, 
but  the  effect  of  a  sudden  passion  or  temporary  derangement : 
under  this  impression,  and  adverting  to  the  long  and  active 
services  of  Captain  Johnstone,  the  Court  consider  him  as  a 
proper  object  of  recommendation  to  Government." 

The  Government  forwarded  a  letter  from  Captain  Johnstone 
to  the  Court  of  Directors,  explained  the  circumstances  of  the  case, 
and  further  allowed  him  to  draw  the  pay  of  a  Captain  of  En- 
gineers till  an  opportunity  should  offer  for  his  return  to  Europe. 

The  circumstances  mentioned  by  the  Court  in  their  recom- 
mendation to  Government  cannot  be  precisely  ascertained,  as 
the  proceedings  of  the  court-martial  are  not  to  be  found  amongst 
the  Government  records ;  but  Captain  Johnstone,  in  a  letter  to 
the  Governor-in-Council,  after  the  trial,  attributes  the  matter 
not  being  settled  at  first  to  the  "  malicious  conduct  of  Colonel 
Vigors,  who,  instead  of  using  his  endeavours  to  accommodate, 
did  by  every  possible  means  make  it  worse,  and   added  personal 


.    [isofl.  MADEAS   ENGINEEES.  4l5 

abuse  and  insult  to  make  me  feel  my  hard  situation  the  more." 
He  also  accuses  him  of  "  neglect  of  duty  of  a  man  in  public 
station,  and  whose  actions  were  guided  entirely  by  personal 
pique." 

Johnstone  did  not  rest  satisfied  with  his  dismissal,  and  letters 
from  him  remonstrating  against  the  severe  treatment  meted  out 
to  him  can  be  traced  in  the  records  up  to  1809.  In  spite  of  his 
dismisal  from  the  Company's  service,  he  obtained  an  Ensigncy 
in  H.M.'s  34th  Regiment,  and  rose  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant. 

In  1801,  Johnstone  applied  for  permission  to  purchase  an 
1-  nsigncy  in  the  Scotch  Brigade.  Government  appear  to  have 
refused  his  application,  as  also  to  allow  him  to  publish  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  court-martial. 

In  1803,  the  Court,  although  they  declined  to  restore  him  to 
the  service,  consented  to  grant  him  a  pension  as  if  he  had 
retired  from  the  service. 

Johnstone,  however,  refused  this,  as  he  had  "  nothing  so  much 
at  heart  as  the  desire  of  being  restored  to  rank  and  situation  in 
that  service  in  which  he  had  served  for  sixteen  years,  and  in 
which  his  father,  two  uncles,  and  five  of  his  other  relatives  had 
served  and  fallen." 

Early  in  1804  we  find  him  an  Ensign  in  H.M.'s  34th  Regi- 
ment, protesting  against  his  dismissal  by  the  Court  as  being 
irregular,  the  court-martial  not  being  competent. 

In  1805,  he  had  an  interview  with  the  Commander-in-Chief, 
Lieutenant-General  Sir  John  Cradock  (afterwards  LordHowden), 
and  sent  in  all  his  objections  to  the  court-martial.  The  whole 
of  these  papers  were  forwarded  to  the  Court  of  Directors.  John- 
stone complained  that  the  suppression  of  certain  letters  inter- 
cepted from  the  Commander-in-Chief  a  distinct  and  clear  view 
of  the  transaction.  These  letters  were  very  material  to  the 
defence,  as  showing  the  circumstances  under  which  Mr.  Corbett 
obtained  the  apology,  which  apology  the  court-martial  seemed  to 
consider  as  an  aggravation  of  his  (Johnstone's)  conduct. 


416  MILITABY   HISTORY   OF   THE  tieoe. 

Johnstone,  it  appears,  objected  more  than  once  to  the  apology 
as  one  to  which  he  could  not  assent,  inasmuch  as  it  implied 
absence  of  all  provocation  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Corbett,  and  when 
he  did  subscribe  it,  he  acted  under  the  influence  of  apprehen- 
sion that  he  had  already  incurred  the  displeasure  of  Government. 
When  he  signed  the  apology,  he  conceived  that  the  affair  was 
then  at  an  end,  and  the  apology  to  be  a  full  and  final  expiation 
of  all  that  had  passed.  His  subsequent  violent  conduct  was 
caused  by  the  irritation  he  felt  when  he  learnt  that  proceedings 
were  still  pursued  against  him  for  an  ofi*ence  for  which  he  sup- 
posed there  had  been  a  complete  amnesty.  In  this  Mr.  Corbett 
appears  to  have  been  aided  and  abetted  by  Colonel  Vigors. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  states  on  this,  that  "  if  he  had  been 
on  the  court-martial  he  would  not  have  dreamt  of  dismissing 
Captain  Johnstone." 

In  January  1809,  we  find  Johnstone  still  in  Madras,  as  a 
Lieutenant  of  H.M.'s  34th  Regiment,  and  on  the  J  8th,  he 
addressed  the  Military  Secretary  to  Goverument,  receiviug  on 
the  24th  a  reply,  conveying  the  sentiments  of  the  Governor-in- 
Council  on  his  letter,  in  reply  and  explanation  to  the  Military 
Secretary.  On  the  same  day.  Lieutenant  Johnstone  forwarded 
the  following  reply  : — 

"  To  Major  Barclay,  Military  Secretary. 

"  Sir, 

"  I  have  been  duly  honoured  with  your  letter  of  24th 
instant,  enclosing  one  from  Mr.  Secretary  Strachey,  conveying 
to  me,  by  order  of  the  Go vernor-in- Council,  their  sentiments  on 
my  letter  in  reply  and  explanation  to  you  of  1 8th  January.  I 
conceive  that  the  same  rule  obtains  for  my  replying  to  as 
receiving  communications  from  the  Governor-iu-Council. 

"  When  an  insult  was  ofiered  to  me  by  returning  my  letter  of 
just  complaint  for  neglect  of  duty  which  I  had  made  against  the 
Chief  Secretary  to  Government,  I  thought  it  incumbent  on  me 
to  reply  in  explanation.  I  respect  myself  too  much  to  off"er 
intentional  disrespect  to  any  person,  but  certainly  those  persons 


180T-9.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  417 

who  could  offer  an  insult  to  the  King  (whose  servant  I  am)  by 
declaring  His  Majesty's  Commission,  which  I  have  the  honour 
to  hold,  a  sufficient  and  sole  cause  to  remove  me  from  a  public 
staff  appointment  in  the  army  on  this  establishment,  are  not 
entitled  to  be  respected  by  me. 

"I  am  thoroughly  aware  of  the  power  of  the  Honourable  the 
Governor-in-Council  to  represent  my  conduct  to  the  Honourable 
Court  of  Directors  in  any  point  of  view  they  may  think  proper; 
and  such  representations  being  unknown  to  me  in  particulars,  I 
have  no  opportunity  of  vindicating  my  conduct  from  whatever 
may  be  advanced  against  me.  I  have  already  suffered  greatly 
by  such  representations,  and  I  leave  the  liberal  and  honourable 
mind  to  judge  of  the  justice  of  such  proceedings.  Experience 
has  proved  to  me  on  several  instances  that  in  such  communica- 
tions with  the  Honourable  Court  little  attention  has  been  paid  to 
the  dictates  of  justice. 

(Signed)  "  Geo.  Johnstone, 

"  Lieutenant  H.M.'s  34th  Regiment." 

"  Madras,  29th  January  1809." 

I  have  not  been  able  to  find  anything  further  in  the  records 
regarding  George  Johnstone.  The  1st  battalion  H.M.'s  34th, 
to  which  Johnstone  belonged,  served  in  India  from  1803  to 
1826. 

During  the  year  1807  and  1808  nothing  of  any  consequence 
in  a  military  sense  occurred,  so  far  as  the  Indian  armies  were 
concerned. 

At  the  commencement  of  1809,  the  Corps  consisted  of  the 
following : — 

Colonel  Trapaud.  Captain  Farquhar. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Norris.  „       R.  Fotheringham. 

Lieutenant- Colonel  Lennon.  „       Cleghorne. 

Major  Mackenzie.  „       De  Havilland. 

Major  Caldwell.  „       Cotgrave. 

Captain  Blair.  „       J.  Fotheringham. 

27 


418  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1808-9. 

Captain  H.  Torriano.  Lieutenant  Blakiston. 

„       T.  Fraser.  „         Eussell. 

Lieutenant  Ravenshaw.  „         Macintosh. 

„         Arthur.  „         Milbourne. 

„         Garrard.  „         Monteith. 

In  June  1808,  a  Mr.  Greig  proposed  to  construct  a  pier  at 
Madras.  It  would  appear  that  this  was  not  the  first  time  the 
subject  had  been  brought  forward,  for  the  Chief  Engineer 
remarks,  "  No  plans  were  submitted  by  him  ;  but  should  they  be 
the  same  as  proposed  before,  I  have  my  doubts  of  its  success." 
Mr.  Greig's  proposals  were  declined  by  the  Government. 

In  1808,  the  Dewan  of  Travancore  (Paliathu  Menon)  began 
to  conspire,  with  the  object  of  turning  the  English  out  of 
Travancore. 

On  28th  December,  at  midnight,  an  attack  was  made  by  about 
1,000  Nairs  (headed  by  the  Dewan's  confidential  friend, 
Pulpnabha  Pillay,  aided  by  the  minister  of  the  Rajah  of  Cochin) 
on  the  house  of  the  Resident  (Colonel  Macaulay)  at  Cochin. 
With  the  aid  of  a  Portuguese  clerk,  he  managed  to  conceal 
himself  in  a  lower  apartment  of  the  house. 

The  assailants  plundered  tbe  house,  but  did  not  succeed  in 
finding  Colonel  Macaulay. 

In  the  morning,  a  vessel  appeared  in  sight  with  British  troops, 
and  the  ruflBans  retreated.  A  boat  was  procured  and  the 
Resident  was  shortly  on  board  the  British  vessel. 

The  morning  after  this  outrage,  Colonel  Chalmers,  command- 
ing at  Quilon,*  received  news  that  a  large  body  of  armed  men 
had  assembled  round  the  Dewan's  house.  He  at  once  ordered 
his  troops  to  be  ready  to  attack  them. 

He,  shortly  after,  heard  that  a  body  of  armed  Nairs  had 
assembled  at  Paroor,  a  few  miles  south.  Captain  Clapham  was 
despatched  to  take  post  on  a  height  commanding  the  Dewan's 

*  Lieutenant  Arthur,  of  Engineers,  was  stationed  at  Quilon, 


1909]  MADEAS    EKGINEEES.  419 

house.  The  Nairs  attacked  ;  when  they  were  within  ten  paces, 
Captain  Clapham  gave  orders  to  fire.  The  fire  was  returned  ; 
but  the  enemy,  after  several  attempts,  were  obliged  to  retire. 
Next  day  Major  Hamilton  took  possession  of  a  battery  at  the 
Dewan's  house  He  was  then  ordered  to  push  on  to  Anjuricha 
to  intercept  the  enemy.  He  dispersed  them,  but  they  subsequently 
returned,  and  Major  Hamilton  retired  within  the  lines  of  the 
cantonments.  At  first,  in  spite  of  the  attempt  made  on  the  life 
of  the  Resident,  the  Madras  Government  thought  of  conciliatory 
measures,  but  on  hearing  of  the  attack  on  the  troops  at  Quilon 
negotiations  were  abandoned  for  arms. 

Troops  were  ordered  to  advance  on  Travancore  in  various 
directions.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Arthur  St.  Leger,  Madras 
Cavalry,  was  to  advance  from  the  East ;  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Cuppage,  from  the  north  (with  this  latter  force  was  Lieutenant 
Ravenshaw,  Madras  Engineers).  Colonel  Wilkinson  commanding 
a  detachment  in  the  south  country  was  to  reinforce  the  army  in 
Travancore,  if  found  necessary,  and  Lieutenant- Colonel  Chalmers 
commanded  the  force  at  Quilon. 

On  15th  January  1809,  at  6  a.m  ,  the  Dewan's  troops  advanced 
in  force  at  Quilon,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Chalmers  ordered 
his  line  to  advance  in  two  columns. 

The  force  at  Quilon  consisted  of  H.M.'s  12th,  and  four  Native 
Infantry  Regiments,  1st  battalion  of  2nd,  2nd  of  13th,  2nd  of 
18th,  and  1st  of  4th,  with  four  guns.  Lieutenant  .Arthur, 
engineer.  The  whole  force  was  encamped  to  the  east  of  the 
Bazars,  parallel  to  the  sea-shore,  and  at  a  distance  of  about  a 
mile  from  it,  fronting  north-east. 

They  thus  practically  commanded  all  the  roads  from  the 
south  and  east  The  right  wing  was  under  the  command  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Picton,  the  left  being  under  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Chalmers 

There  were  at  first  three  separate  bodies  of  the  enemy 
advancing — the    first    from  the  south-east   on    the    road    from 

27  • 


420  MILITARY   HISTOEY   OF    THE  [1809. 

Ithkerry ;  the  second  from  the  east,  on  road  from  RalHanoor  ; 
and  the  third  from  the  north.  Outright  wing  advanced  to  its 
front,  and  while  four  and  a  half  companies  of  the  12th,  and  eight 
companies  of  2nd- 13th  Native  Infantry,  with  two  guns,  wheeled 
to  their  left  and  attacked  the  second  hody  of  the  enemy  in  flank, 
the  4th  Native  Infantry  turned  to  their  right  and  advanced  to 
the  attack  of  No.  J. 

The  left  wing,  with  two  guns,  changed  front  to  their  left  and 
prepared  to  attack  the  third  hody.  They  were  not  permitted  to 
do  this  without  considerable  annoyance  from  the  fire  of  No.  2 : 
so  greatly  were  they  hampered  by  this  fire  that  they  had 
frequently  to  face  to  the  right-about.  The  4th  Native  Infantry 
on  the  extreme  right  of  our  line  defeated  the  enemy  and 
captured  four  guns.  The  remainder  of  the  right  wing,  after  a 
good  deal  of  fighting,  defeated  the  force  opposed  to  them, 
captured  two  guns,  and  pursued  the  enemy  along  the  road  to 
Caryericottah.  The  left  wing  being  relieved  of  the  fire  of  body 
No.  2,  advanced  to  the  attack  of  the  third  body,  routed  them, 
and  captured  five  guns.  The  four  and  a  half  companies  of  1 2th, 
belonging  to  the  left  wing,  pursued  the  enemy  for  a  short 
distance  in  an  easterly  direction ;  but  at  this  time  the  enemy's 
Carnatic  battalion,  with  three  guns,  appeared  from  the  old 
Bazars,  and  threatened  to  attack  us  in  the  rear.  The  left  wing 
thereupon  reformed,  fronting  north,  and  advanced  against  the 
Carnatic  battalion,  which  it  dispersed  with  the  loss  of  its  three 
guns.  The  remains  of  the  three  first-mentioned  bodies  of  the 
enemy  retreated  by  the  road  to  Caryericottah,  while  the  Carnatic 
battalion  went  to  the  north  by  the  Aurka  road.' 

The  engagement  lasted  five  hours,  and  resulted  in  the  total 
defeat  of  the  enemy  and  the  capture  of  fourteen  guns. 

Enemy's  loss  was  heavy,  but  ours  trifling. 

Ten  days  after  (25th  January)  an  attack  was  made  by  three 
columns  of  the  enemy  on  troops  in  Cochin  under  Major  Hewith, 
but  they  were  repulsed  with  the  most  decisive  success. 


1809J  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  421 

The  corps  under  Lieutenant- Colonel  St.  Leger  moved  from 
Trichinopoly,  and  after  a  rapid  march  reached  Palamcotta,  and 
proceeded  thence  to  the  lines  of  Arambooly,  which  it  reached  on 
3rd  February, 

The  force  consisted  : — 
H.M.'s  69th. 

Five  Companies  3rd  Native  Infantry,  1st  Battalion. 
2nd  Battalion  3rd  Native  Infantry. 
13th  Native  Infantry. 
Five  Companies  10th  Native  Infantry. 
6th  Native  Cavalry. 
Artillery. 
400    Pioneers,    under    Captain     Smithwaite,    Lieutenants 

Bertram    and  Patterson.     Cleghorne,  of  the  Engineers, 

accompanied  the  force. 

On  6th  February,  the  force  marched  six  miles,  and  took  up  a 
position  five  miles  from  the  works.  The  lines  of  Travancore, 
commmencing  close  to  Cape  Comorin,  were  carried  as  far  as  the 
mountainous  range  which  separates  Travancore  from  the  Madras 
territory. 

They  were  divided  into  two  parts  by  a  high  mountain — those 
next  the  sea  being  called  the  Southern  Lines,  and  those  beyond 
the  mountain  the  Arambooly  Lines.  The  gate  through  these 
latter  lines  was  covered  by  two  large  circular  bastions,  defended 
by  guns.  The  extent  of  the  whole  was  two  miles,  with  a  rugged 
fortified  hill  to  the  south,  and  a  very  strong  rock  about  half- 
way, called  the  Northern  Kedoubt,  beyond  which  was  in- 
accessible jungle.  The  works  consisted  of  small  well-built 
bastions,  for  two  or  three  guns,  joined  by  strong  curtains, 
covered  by  a  thick  thorny  hedge,  (the  approach  to  which  was 
difficult),  within  cannon-range  of  the  walls.  It  was  proposed 
to  take  these  lines  by  a  coup-de-main. 

The  Southern  Redoubt  was  the  object  of  the  attack,  as  it  com- 
pletely  enfiladed  the   whole  of  the  main  lines.     The   hill  was 


422  MILITABY   HISTORY   OF   THE  [1809. 

ascended  under  cover  of  the  night,  and  our  troops  actually 
escaladed  the  wall  before  their  approach  was  suspected.  The 
ascent  was  of  such  great  difficulty  as  to  require  six  hours  actual 
scrambling  to  reach  the  foot  of  the  walls. 

Our  loss  was  very  small :  Captain  Cunningham,  of  69th, 
killed ;  one  killed,  eleven  men  wounded.  Lieutenant  Bertram, 
with  a  detachment  of  Pioneers,  accompanied  the  escalading-party ; 
and  as  soon  as  Captain  Welsh,  who  commanded  the  assaultiug- 
party,  effected  his  security,  reinforcements  were  detached  to  his 
assistance.  The  main  lines  were  then  stormed,  and  by  dint  of 
persevering  bravery,  they  were  carried  entirely.  The  Northern 
Kedoubt  was  abandoned  by  the  enemy,  who  fled  in  all  directions, 
leaving  the  English  in  possession.  Colonel  St.  Leger  encamped 
two  miles  inside  the  Arambooly  Gate. 

A  detachment  of  Pioneers,  under  Lieutenant  Bertram,  formed 
part  of  the  storming-party  under  Major  Welsh. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  St.  Leger  thus  wrote  : — "  It  is  impossible 
for  me  to  convey  in  language  sufficiently  strong  the  obligations 
I  feel  under  to  the  personal  exertions  of  Major  Welsh,  com- 
manding 3rd  Native  Infantry  and  the  detachment  for  escalade, 
under  his  command." 

"  I  feel  it  a  duty  I  owe  (from  the  report  of  Major  Welsh)  to 
the  Pioneers  who  accompanied  him,  to  express  my  entire  appro- 
bation of  their  conduct,  and  that  of  Lieutenant  Bertram,  who 
commanded  them." 

The  Pioneers  were  employed  destroying  the  works  on  both 
sides  of  the  gate,  which  latter  was  left  entire,  as  a  post  to  secure 
our  communications. 

On  17th  February,  the  army  marched  for  the  interior,  the 
advance  commanded  by  Lieuteuant-Colonel  McLeod. 

Having  got  on  six  miles,  they  found  the  enemy  strongly  posted 
in  a  village,  across  a  river  with  high  banks,  commanding  the 
approach,  and  several  cannon  pointed  down  the  high  road. 

Their  force  was  6,000,  and  they  had  great  advantage  in  point 


1809.]  MADRAS   ENGINEEES.  423 

of  position.  However,  they  were  completely  routed,  and  dis- 
persed in  all  directions.  A  company  of  Pioneers,  under 
Lieutenant  Patterson,  was  engaged  in  this  action.  Nine  guns 
were  taken,  and  we  took  possession  of  Cotar  and  Nagracoile. 
Our  loss  was  two  officers  wounded,  and  forty-nine  men  killed 
and  wounded.  The  army  encamped  four  miles  beyond 
Nagracoile. 

On  the  19th,  our  force  marched  against  Oodagherry  and  Pal- 
panaverum,  which  were  found  to  be  abandoned. 

On  the  28th,  the  force  commenced  its  march  to  the  capital 
(Trevandrum)  ;  and  on  2nd  March  reached  its  neighbourhood, 
and  encamped  three  miles  south  of  the  town. 

Meantime,  on  the  20th  February,  Colonel  Chalmers'  force 
(Western  Division),  assailed  and  most  gallantly  carried  some 
batteries  erected  by  enemy  at  Killianore,  captured  seven  guns, 
and  defeated  5,000  of  the  enemy. 

After  this,  Colonel  Chalmers  advanced  to  effect  a  junction 
with  Colonel  St.  Leger,  and  encamped  twelve  miles  north  of 
Trevandrum.  At  the  same  time.  Colonel  Cuppage  having 
entered  Travancore  by  the  northern  frontier  without  much 
opposition,  advanced,  and  took  up  the  strong  position  of  Paroor, 
a  few  miles  south  of  Quilon  (Lieutenant  Ravenshaw,  of  the 
Engineers,  was  with  this  force),  while  the  troops  under  Colonel 
Wilkinson  occupied  the  passes  of  Shencotta  and  Achincoil. 

On  3rd  March,  Colonel  Macaulay,  the  Resident,  arrived  in 
camp  ;  and  on  the  15th,  the  new  Dewan  was  received  in  camp 
with  military  honours,  and  publicly  proclaimed  Minister. 

The  former  Dewan  now  fled  to  the  mountains  in  the  north. 
After  wandering  about  for  some  time,  he  retired  to  a  pagoda 
at  Phagwady.  Parties  were  sent  out  after  him.  He  was  traced 
to  this  pagoda,  and  while  our  troops  were  forcing  the  gate,  he 
committed  suicide.  His  brother  and  six  friends,  who  were  taken 
alive,  were  carried  to  Quilon,  and  hanged ;  and  thus  terminated 
the  Travancore  War  of  1809. 


424  MILITABY   HISTOEY   OF   THE  [1809-10. 

Lieutenant  Arthur,  of  the  Engineers,  received  the  Governor's 
thanks  (in  G.  0.  G.,  4th  February  1809),  for  his  services  in  the 
action  at  Quilon,  on  15th  January. 

Lieutenant  Bertram,  of  the  Pioneers,  was  thanked  for  his 
services  at  Arambooly  ;  and  Lieutenant  Patterson,  of  the  Pioneers, 
for  his  services  in  the  attack  of  Cotar  and  Nagracoile. 

Great  injuries  were  sustained  by  our  commerce  from  cruisers 
from  the  Mauritius,  and  Bourbon,  and  it  was  resolved  to  attempt 
the  occupation  of  those  islands.  Accordingly,  200  Europeans, 
and  200  sepoys  were  sent,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Keating, 
and  landed  on  4th  August  1809,  on  an  island  called  Kodrigues, 
about  300  or  350  miles  to  the  east  of  Mauritius.  This  island 
was  occupied  without  opposition.  Some  little  time  after,  Com- 
modore Rowley,  who  had  command  of  the  naval  force,  resolved 
to  attack  St.  Paul's,  in  BDurbon. 

On  19th  September,  the  force  stood  for  the  island,  and  landed 
on  the  20th,  south  of  Pointe  de  Galets,  seven  miles  from 
St.  Paul's.  Total  force,  604.  From  Rodrigues,  368  ofiBcers  and 
men,  with  100  seamen  and  136  marines  from  the  squadron. 
By  evening,  St.  Paul's  was  in  the  possession  of  the  English, 
with  a  loss  of  fifteen  killed  and  fifty-eight  wounded,  and  three 
missing. 

General  des  Brusles,  Governor  of  Bourbon,  marched  from  the 
capital  of  St.  Denis,  and  appeared  before  St.  Paul's  on  evening 
of  22nd ;  but  from  some  cause  (probably  despair  of  ejecting 
invaders),  retreated,  and  committed  suicide  by  shooting  himself. 

The  small  British  force,  being  unequal  to  the  conquest  of  the 
island,  destroyed  the  batteries,  and  captured  the  shipping  in  the 
harbour;  then  abandoned  the  island,  and  Colonel  Keating 
returned  to  Rodrigues. 

Nothing  further  was  done  till  March  1810,  when  preparations 
were  made  for  a  serious  attempt  to  annihilate  the  French  power 
in  the  Indian  Seas.     Captain  Willoughby,  R.N.,  at  the  head  of 


iMftJ  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  425 

100  seamen  of  the  Nereide,  landed  at  Jacolet,  the  south-east 
point  of  Bourbon.  The  landing  was  intended  to  take  place  at 
midnight,  but  owing  to  unexpected  difficulties,  it  was  not  effected 
till  5  A.M.  The  small  force  landed  under  fire  of  two  batteries. 
In  ten  minutes  the  first  battery  was  taken  ;  and  soon  after,  the 
second,  and  all  the  guns  spiked.  Daylight  having  now  arrived, 
the  weakness  of  the  attacking  force  was  revealed  to  the  enemy, 
and  they  returned  to  the  attack.  "  Willoughby  charged  the 
enemy  with  the  bayonet,  and  scattered  their  force,  took  their 
Commander  prisoner,  captured  the  guns,  stormed  the  battery 
behind,  and,  in  short,  was  master  of  the  whole  place." 

Finally,  Captain  Willoughby  burnt  the  signal-house,  and 
Hag-staff,  and  carrying  away  some  field-pieces  and  stores, 
reimbarked  with  the  loss  of  only  one  man  killed,  and  six 
wounded. 

Later  in  the  year,  an  organised  system  of  attack  was  adopted. 
The  force  at  Kodrigues  was  augmented  by  1,700  Europeans, 
and  about  1,800  Natives. 

The  reinforcements  arrived  oflf  Rodrigues  on  20th  June,  having 
left  Madras  on  8th  May.  Lieutenant  Blakiston,  and  Ensigns 
Trapaud  and  Davies,  of  the  Engineers,  accompanied  the  force ; 
also  Lieutenant  Scouler,  of  Madras  Pioneers. 

The  expedition  consisted  of  two  companies  of  Artillery ;  flank 
companies  of  H.M.'s  12th  and  33rd  ;  H.M.'s  69th  and  Stith  ;  6th 
and  12th  Native  Infantry,  with  200  Madras  Pioneers,  who 
embarked  at  Quilon. 

The  expedition  was  detained  ofi"  Rodrigues  till  3rd  July. 

On  the  Uth,  they  came  to  a  rendezvous,  fifty  miles  to  the  wind- 
ward of  Bourbon. 

H.M.'s  squadron  consisted  of  Boadicea,*  Siriua,  Iphigeniuy 
Magicientie,  and  Nereide,  under  command  of  Commodore 
Rowley. 

*  Colonel  Keating,  accompanied  by  Lieutenant  Blakiston,  vras  on  board  the 
flag-ahip  Boadicea 


426  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF   THE  [I810. 

On  the  afternoon  of  7th  July,  the  troops  commenced  to  dis- 
embark. Captain  Pym  landed  troops  from  Sirius,  at  Grande 
Chaloupe  (six  miles  west  of  St.  Denis)  ;  and  Lieutenant  Watling, 
of  the  SSh-ius,  took  possession  of  a  height  near,  preventing  rein- 
forcements being  sent  from  St.  Paul's  to  St  Denis. 

The  other  point  of  disembarkation  was  Riviere  des  Pluies, 
three  miles  east  of  St.  Denis.  The  beach  on  that  side  was  large 
shingle,  very  steep,  and  the  surf  very  high.  Captain  Wil- 
loughby,  R.N.,  pushed  of  in  Eslafetie  prize-schooner  and  boats, 
and  the  men  were  landed  with  a  loss  of  only  four  ;  but  the 
schooner,  and  several  boats  were  dashed  to  pieces  in  the  surf. 
Another  body  of  troops,  under  Lieutenant- Colonel  McLeod,  69th, 
landed  more  to  the  right.  After  this,  it  was  found  impossible  to 
land  any  more  troops  ;  those  who  had  succeeded  in  landing  had 
lost  some  of  their  arms,  and  all  their  ammunition  was  damaged.  It 
now  became  necessary  to  communicate  with  the  troops  on  shore. 
Lieutenant  Foulston,  69th,  volunteered  to  swim  on  shore,  and 
succeeded  in  doing  so,  heing  dragged  from  the  surf  by  means  of  a 
boat-hook.  Colonel  McLeod  was  ordered  to  hold  St.  Marie  (three 
miles  to  the  east  of  the  town)  for  the  night,  which  he  carried 
at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  The  remainder  of  the  force  was 
landed  at  Grande  Chaloupe.  In  the  meantime,  the  1st  brigade 
which  had  landed  pushed  forward  under  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Hastings  Fraser,  86th,  towards  St.  Denis  (Ensign  Davies,  of  the 
Engineers,  was  with  this  brigade),  halted  during  the  night,  and 
then  descended,  having  meanwhile  been  joined  by  sepoys, 
Pioneers,  and  Artillery.  They  found  the  French  waiting  for 
them.  The  French  retired,  and  attempted  to  form  in  a  redoubt ; 
from  this,  however,  they  were  driven.  The  British  colours  were 
hoisted  on  the  redoubt,  and  the  batteries  to  the  west  of  Riviere 
St.  Denis  stormed  and  demolished. 

Thus  the  main  force  of  the  island  was  defeated  by  600  men. 
In  the  afternoon  Colonel  Fraser  was  joined  by  2nd  Brigade 
under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Drummond,  and  the  rest  of  the  troops 


1810.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  427 

appeared  on  the  heights  shortly  after.  Preparations  were  now 
made  for  an  attack,  when  a  flag  of  truce  arrived  to  treat  for 
surrender  of  Island. 

Colonel  Keating  not  having  yet  arrived,  Colonel  Fraser  sent 
Lieutenant  Blakiston  into  the  town,  with  an  officer  bearing  a  flag 
of  truce,  to  ask  for  the  possession  of  some  posts  on  the  opposite 
side  of  river.  But  as  they  reached  the  Commandant's  quarters 
(having  previously  gone  through  operation  of  being  blindfolded 
on  passing  the  defences),  they  met  Colonel  Keating  who  had 
come  full  gallop  from  Grande  Chaloupe.  He  began  by  inform- 
ing the  Commandant  in  his  usual  brusque  manner,  that  "  he 
was  the  officer  commanding  the  expedition,  and  that  he  had 
come  in  person  to  preserve  the  town  and  garrison ;  that  a 
column  was  advancing  from  St.  Mary's,  and  that  the  only  way  to 
avoid  the  consequences  was  to  surrender  at  discretion.  The 
French  Governor,  a  mild  man,  said : 

"  Mais,  Monsieur  le  Colonel,  nous  avons  des  bonnes  postes." 

"Posts  or  no  posts,"  said  the  Colonel,  "if  you  don't  sur- 
render this  minute,  I  can't  answer  for  your  life.  There  is  a 
devil  of  a  fellow  commanding  that  column  from  St.  Mary's,  and 
your  old  friend  Willoughby  is  there  also." 

At  the  sound  of  this  latter  name  the  Governor  started,  and  a 
distant  shot  was  heard. 

"There  they  are,  close  to  your  gates,"  said  Colonel  Keating. 
"  You  had  better  make  haste.  You  shall  have  the  honours  of 
war,  and  private  property  shall  be  respected — but  nothing 
more." 

"  In  short,  the  poor  Governor  was  fairly  bullied  out  of  his 
island,  not  but  that  there  were  troops  enough  to  take  half  a 
dozen  such  islands." 

Ensign  Davies  was  with  1st  Brigade,  and  Ensign  Trapaud 
with  the  2nd. 

The  conduct  of  Ensign  Davies  was  approved  of  by  officer 
commanding  1st  Brigade. 


428  MILITARY  HISTORY   OF   THE 


[1810. 


The  ordnance  at  St.  Paul's  and  St.  Denis  amounted  to  145 
pieces  of  heavy  artillery,  and  the  loss  the  English  sustained  in 
the  conquest  was  but  eighteen  killed,  seventy  nine  wounded,  and 
four  drowned. 

As  soon  as  the  island  was  captured,  Mr.  Farquhar  (formerly 
Governor  of  Malacca)  was  installed  as  Governor.  Colonel 
Keating  and  Blakiston  then  made  a  tour  of  the  island,  which  is 
about  100  miles  in  circumference,  and  nearly  round. 

Colonel  Keating  thus  wrote  of  Lieutenant  Blakiston,  on  21st 
July,  after  the  capture  of  Bourbon  : — "  Nor  can  I  pass  over 
unnoticed  the  zeal  and  activity  manifested  by  Lieutenant 
Blakiston,  Senior  OflBcer  of  Engineers  on  this  occasion." 

In  order  to  satisfactorily  blockade  the  Isle  of  France,  it  was 
shortly  after  resolved  to  attack  a  small  island  in  the  mouth  of 
Port  South-East,  called  the  Isle  de  la  Passe. 

On  night  of  13th  August,  five  boats  from  the  Sirius  and 
Iphegenia,  with  120  ofiBcers  and  men,  proceeded  to  the  landing- 
place  on  north-west  side  of  the  Isle  of  Passe. 

Davies  of  Engineers  was  present  in  this  engagement.  Before 
the  boats  reached  the  landing-place,  the  enemy  commenced 
firing.     Two  men  killed,  and  several  wounded. 

They  advanced,  however,  and  after  a  brief  but  warm  encounter 
they  succeeded  in  possessing  the  walls.  Seven  men  killed,  and 
eighteen  wounded. 

They  then  attacked  the  batteries  on  the  south-east  side, 
where  they  were  met  by  Lieutenant  Chads,  K.N.,  who  had 
stormed  the  works  without  the  loss  of  a  man.  The  two 
parties  united,  and  the  French  Commandant  surrendered  at 
discretion. 

The  batteries  on  Isle  of  Passe  mounted  nineteen  heavy  pieces 
of  ordnance,  including  three  18-incli  mortars  and  two  howitzers. 
The  only  landing-place  was  on  inner  or  north-west  side,  which 
was  well  protected  with  chevaux-de-frise — the  passage  to  it  250 
yards  wide.     In  order  to   arrive  there,  it  was  necessary  to  pass 


SKETCH 

—     of    — 

jREUN10]\riSLAND. 

or 

£OUBB0JY. 


REUNIONISLMD. 


1810.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  429 

three  batteries.  Captain  Willoughby  wrote :  "  I  consider  it 
justice  to  one  of  the  handsomest  '  coups '  of  our  campaign  to 
declare  that  I  think  a  more  gallant  action  could  not  be  per- 
formed, and  that  I  always  considered,  and  do  now,  the  Isle  of 
Passe  as  an  extremely  strong  fortification  against  boats  and 
storming." 

Captain  Pym,  R.N.,  reported  to  Commodore  Rowley  :  "  L'lle 
de  la  Passe  is  in  our  possession.  I  have  to  request  you  will 
particularly  recommend  as  being  highly  deserving  of  promotion 
Lieutenants  Chads  and  Watling,  Lieutenant  James  Cottell  and 
William  Bate,  and  Lieutenant  Davies  of  Engineers  (a  pas- 
senger with  me  who  volunteered  his  services  in  the  boats,  an 
ofiBcer  of  great  ability,  to  whom  I  have  entrusted  the  new  and 
additional  defences  of  the  Island)." 

The  island  (of  Passe)  was  entrusted  to  Captain  Willoughby, 
R.N.  Captain  Willoughby  writes  :  "After  well  reconnoitring  with 
Lieutenant  Davies  of  Engineers,  I  determined  to  attack  their 
principal  post  of  Point  du  Diable."  This  post  was  stormed  and 
carried.  After  this,  Captain  Willoughby  moved  on  to  Grand 
Port,  twelve  miles,  and  routed  the  enemy. 

On  another  occasion  he  destroyed  the  signal-house  and 
flag-staff  at  Grande  Riviere,  and  blew  up  the  remaining  work 
at  Pointe  du  Diable,  retiring  without  molestation. 

Lieutenant  Davies  in  the  destruction  of  Grand  Port  was 
slightly  wounded,  and  his  conduct  noticed  by  Captain  Willoughby 
in  his  despatch  with  great  approval. 

At  this  time,  the  French  succeeded  in  capturing  Windham 
and  Ceylon,  East  Indiumen.  These  ships,  with  the  Astell, 
were  sailing  for  Madras,  when  they  were  attacked  by  a  French 
squadron  under  Commodore  Duperr6. 

On  14th  March  1810,  Captain  Duperre,  with  Bellone, 
Minerve,  and  corvette  Victor,  sailed  from  Port  Louis  on  a 
cruise  in  the  Bay  of  Bengal. 

On  Ist  June,  they  steered  for  Bay  of  St.  Augustin,  Madagascar. 


430  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF   THE  [1810. 

Towards  the  end  of  the  month  he  left,  and  stood  up  Mozam- 
hiqiie  Channel. 

On  3rd  July,  at  6  a.m.,  the  Island  of  Mayotta  bearing  E.  ^  N. 
about  thirty-six  miles  distant,  they  discovered  three  outward- 
bound  Indiamen, 

Ceylon,  Captain  Henry  Meriton, 
Windham,  Captain  John  Stewart, 
Astell,  Captain  Robert  Hay, 
and  pursued.     The  Indiamen    resolved,   as  they  could  not  get 
away,  to  bring  them  to  action  before  dark. 

At  2.15  the  Minerve  fired  one  shot  at  Windham,  and  her  lar- 
board broadside  into  Ceylon.  The  corvette  also  opened  fire,  and 
the  action  became  general  between  the  Minerve  and  Victor 
against  the  three  Indiamen.  At  first  the  Ceylon  bore  the  brunt 
of  the  engagement.  At  3.40  Captain  Hay  of  the  Astell  was 
severely  wounded,  and  the  command  devolved  on  Mr.  William 
Hawkey.  Ensigns  Coventry  and  Anderson,  of  the  Madras  Engi- 
neers, had  charge  of  the  gangway  guns  on  board  the  Astell.  At 
4  P.M.  the  Minerve  shot  ahead,  and  bore  down  as  if  to  board  the 
Windham.  The  Windham  made  sail  to  strike  the  French 
frigate  on  the  larboard  quarter,  and  the  Ceylon  and  Astell  closed 
to  co-operate.  But  the  Wifidham,  having  her  sails  and  rigging 
greatly  damaged,  did  not  possess  enough  way.  Meantime  all 
three  kept  up  an  incessant  fire  on  the  Minerve.  As  the  latter 
got  out  of  shot,  the  Astell  hauled  sharp  up,  and  passing  astern 
of  Windham  became  headmost  ship. 

At  4.30  the  Minerve  wore  with  intent  to  cut  off  the  Windham. 
No  sooner  had  she  hauled  to  the  wind  on  the  starboard  tack,  than 
her  main  and  mizen  topmasts  came  down  close  to  the  caps  A 
respite  was  thus  afforded.  At  6  p.m.  the  Bellone,  followed  by 
the  Victor,  commenced  a  heavy  fire  on  the  Windham.  Passing 
on,  the  Bellone  took  up  a  position  on  lee  beam  of  Ceylon, 
directing  her  foremost  guns  at  the  Astell,  while  Victor  kept  up 
a  fire  on  Windham.     At  6.30,  while  endeavouring  to  close  on 


1810.]  MADRAS    ENGINEEES.  431 

the  French  frigate,  Captain  Meriton  of  the  Ceylon  received  a 
severe  grapeshot  wound  in  the  neck,  and  the  command  devolved 
on  Mr.  Widlock  Oldham,  who,  a  few  minutes  after,  was  severely- 
wounded,  and  left  the  deck  in  charge  of  Mr.  Tristram  Fenning. 
About  7  p.M  ,  having  had  her  masts,  rigging,  and  sails  badly 
wounded  and  cut,  all  her  upper-deck,  and  five  of  her  lower-deck 
guns  disabled,  and  her  hull  so  badly  struck  that  she  made  three 
feet  of  water  an  hour,  the  Ceylon  bore  up,  and  ceased  firing, 
passing  astern  of  Bellone,  who  was  still  engaging  the  Windham, 
close  abreast  of  the  Antell  to  leeward. 

The  Windham  proposed  to  the  Asiell  to  board  the  Bellone, 
but  not  understanding,  the  Aatell  put  out  her  lights,  and  made 
sail,  receiving  a  heavy  parting  fire  from  the  frigate. 

At  7.20,  the  Ceylon  being  unmanageable,  hauled  down  her 
colours,  and  was  taken  possession  of  by  a  boat  from  the  Miner ve. 
In  passing  the  Windham,  the  Ceylon  hailed  that  she  had  struck. 
The  Astell,  just  before  she  put  out  her  lights,  heard  the  same, 
and  had  then  her  fore  and  main  masts  badly  wounded,  and  her 
rigging  and  sails  greatly  disabled.  Windham  now  being  aloue, 
and  finding  that  her  masts  and  rigging  would  not  admit  of  her 
making  sail,  continued  the  action,  to  enable  the  Astell  to  escape, 
and  at  7.45  hauled  down  her  colours,  and  was  taken  possession 
of  by  the  Bellone.  The  Victor  pursued  the  Astell,  but  the  latter 
got  away. 

The  Indiamen  were  each  800  tons,  mounted  each  twenty-six 
guns,  twenty  short  18  pounders  on  gun-deck,  six  sbort  sixes  on 
quarter-deck,  and  had  on  board  2-50  troops,  100  lascars,  and 
twelve  to  twenty  seamen. 

La  Bellone  mounted  twenty-eight  1 8-pounders  on  main  deck, 
twenty  42  pounder  carronndes,  with  two  long  nines  on  quarter- 
deck and  forecastle,  swivels  in  the  tops,  and  400  men. 

Minerve  carried  thirty  18-pounders,  otherwise  the  same  as 
La  Bellone. 

The  Victor  was  armed  with  twenty  30-pounder  carronades. 


432  MILITARY   HISTORY   OP    THE  [1810. 

Ceylon  lost  four  seamen,  one  lascar,  and  two  soldiers  killed. 
The  captain,  chief  mate,  seven  seamen,  one  lascar,  one 
lieutenant-colonel  (Marriott,  24th),  and  ten  men  of  24th 
wounded,  one  mortally.  Total,  eight  killed,  and  twenty 
wounded. 

Windham  lost  one  seaman,  three  soldiers,  and  two  lascars 
killed.  Seven  soldiers,  two  lascars,  and  three  officers  and  six 
men  wounded.     Total,  six  killed,  and  eighteen  wounded. 

Astell  had  four  seamen  and  four  soldiers  killed.  The  captain, 
fifth  mate,  nine  seamen,  one  lascar,  five  cadets,  and  twenty 
soldiers  wounded.    Total,  eight  killed  and  thirty-seven  wounded. 

Aggregate  loss,  twenty-two  killed  and  seventy-five  wounded. 

Five  gentlemen-cadets  proceeding  to  Bengal  on  the  Astell 
•were  wounded ;  three  of  them  by  a  single  cannon-ball.  Ensign 
Coventry  of  the  Madras  Engineers  was  one  of  these. 

The  loss  of  the  French  was  : — 

Bellone,     4  killed  and    6  wounded. 
Minerve,  17  ,,         29        „ 

Victor,       1  „  3       „ 

Total  22  38 

The  Minerve  was  greatly  crippled  in  the  action. 
In  the  report  sent  home,  it  was  stated  "  great  praise  was 
undoubtedly  due  to  the  captains,  officers,  and  crews  for  their 
gallant  defence,  nor  must  we  omit  the  officers  in  command  of 
troops,  and  their  men,  who  inflicted  a  great  part  of  the  loss  the 
enemy  sustained. 

The  East  India  Company  presented  each  of  the  captains  with 
£500,  and  a  handsome  remuneration  to  the  officers  and  men. 
They  settled  a  pension  of  £460  a  year  on  Captain  Hay,  and 
presented  £2,000  to  officers  and  crew.  Andrew  Peters,  of  the 
Astell,  during  the  action  nailed  the  pennant*  to  main-topmast- 
head,  and  was  killed  as  he  descended. 

*  Tb«  colours  of  the  Aslell  yrera  three  timea  shot  awaj. 


1810]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  433 

The  Lords  Commissioners  of  the  Admiralty  granted  the  ships' 
company  a  protection  from  impressment  for  three  years. 

On  4th  July,  the  French  commodore  anchored  in  the  Bay  of 
Johanna  to  refit.  This  took  him  till  the  17th,  and  on  the  20th 
the  squadron  made  the  highland  at  the  back  of  Grand  Port  in 
the  Isle  of  France.     The  Astell  arrived  in  safety  at  Madras. 

The  French  squadron,  with  the  two  East  Indiamen,  ran  for 
Grand  Port,  in  Mauritius,  at  the  entrance  of  which  lay  the  Isle 
of  Passe,  occupied  and  garrisoned  by  the  English.  The  squadron 
was  surprised  by  hostile  fire  from  the  guns  of  the  fort  on  the 
island,  as  well  as  from  the  Nereide.  The  French,  however,  made 
their  way  into  the  harbour;  but  the  Windham  was  cut  out  from 
under  the  batteries  of  the  Black  river  by  a  party  in  boats  from 
the  Siriiis.  Lieutenant  Davies,  of  Engineers,  served  with  this 
party.  The  prize  was  sent  on  to  Bourbon,  and  Captain  Pym 
with  Captain  Willoughby  determined  to  attack  the  French  ships 
in  the  harbour. 

On  22nd  August  they  stood  in  for  that  purpose.  Lieutenant 
Davies  was  on  board  the  Sinus,  Captain  Pym.  The  Siritifi 
grounded,  and  could  not  get  off  till  next  day,  when  the  Iphu/ettia 
and  Mafficienne  arrived,  under  Captains  Lambert  and  Curtis. 
The  French  governor  reinforced  the  crews  of  the  French  ships 
with  seamen  and  soldiers,  and  the  batteries  on  the  coast  mounted 
sixty  guns.  At  5  p.m.,  on  the  23rd,  the  Magicienne,  the  Sirius, 
as  well  as  the  Nereide,  all  grounded.  The  enemy  opened  all 
their  guns  on  the  Nereide,  Captain  Willoughby. 

The  fortitude  and  courage  displayed  by  this  ofiBcer  and  his 
crew  were  bevond  all  praise,  and  probably  have  never  been 
surpassed.  The  Nereide  maintained  the  contest  single  handed 
for  ten  hours.  Captain  Willoughby  lost  an  eye,  and  was  dread- 
fully injured  in  the  head  At  10.45  p.m.,  during  the  action,  a 
boat  from  the  Sirius,  with  an  officer  from  that  frigate,  Lieutenant 
Davies,  of  Engineers,  and  Mr.  Weits,  a  middy  (whose  boat  had 
been  sunk  before  he  got  well  alongside  the  commodore),  reached 

28 


434  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  '(Wio. 

the  Nereide  with  a  message  from  Captain  Pym,  requesting 
Captain  Willoughby  to  abandon  his  ship  ;  but  he  declared  he 
would  neither  abandon  his  men,  nor  strike  the  British  flag  while 
there  was  a  single  man  on  board  able  to  support  it.  He  fought 
his  ship  till  nearly  all  his  crew  were  either  killed  or  wounded. 

First  Lieutenant  John  Burns ; 
Lieutenant  Morlett,  33rd  Kegiment ; 

„  Aldwinkle,  Marine  Artillery  ; 

George  Trunnins,  middy; 
and  eighty-eight  seamen,  marines,  and  soldiers  killed. 
Captain  Willoughby ; 
Second  Lieutenant  Deacon  ; 
Lieutenant  Cox,  Marines ; 
One  middy ; 
and  138  seamen,  marines,  and  soldiers  wounded. 

Total  killed 92 

,.     wounded  ...  ...       142 


Killed  and  wounded     ...       234 

On  the  24th,  the  Magicienne,  being  on  the  point  of  sinking, 
was  deserted  and  set  on  fire. 

On  the  25th,  the  Lphigenia  warped  out  of  action,  and 
attempted  to  extricate  the  Sirins,  but,  finding  it  impracticable, 
she  was  abandoned,  set  on  fire,  and  exploded,  while  their  crews 
were  landed  on  the  Isle  of  Passe  by  the  Ipihgenia.  During  this 
action  Lieutenant  Davies  had  charge  of  the  after  part  of  the 
main  deck  of  the  Sirius. 

The  Ip/ngenia  was  with  some  difficulty  warped  up  to  the 
anchorage  of  the  Isle  of  Passe.  In  this  situation  she  lay  without 
the  power  of  removing,  while  the  state  of  the  little  garrison  at 
the  isle  became  more  forlorn  every  day,  their  stock  of  provisions 
and  water  very  low,  and  no  prospect  of  succour.  As  they  were 
blockaded  escape  was  impossible,  and  they  were  compelled  to 
surrender  on    29th   August,  with   the  proviso  that  the  French 


1810.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  435 

Government  would  furnish,  within  a  month,  a  conveyance  for 
crew  and  garrison  to  the  Cape,  or  any  other  British  possession. 
In  spite  of  the  pledge  given  by  General  Decaen,  the  prisoners 
were  found  in  Mauritius  three  months  after,  on  the  capture  of 
the  island.  Captain  Willoughby  had  remained  at  Grand  Port, 
as  his  wound  was  too  severe  to  allow  of  removal,  and  he  was 
treated  passably  well  ;  Captains  Pym,  Lambert,  and  Curtis,  with 
their  officers  and  men,  were  removed  to  Port  Louis,  and  treated 
in  the  harshest  manner. 

Lieutenant  Davies,  was,  of  course,  among  those  taken 
prisoners,  and  was  in  confinement  during  the  progress  of  the 
expedition  which  resulted  in  the  capture  of  Mauritius. 

The  only  sliip  of  the  British  squadron  now  left  was  tlie 
Boadicea,  and  Commodore  Rowley  was  unable  to  prevent  the 
blockade  of  Bourbon,  which  was  established  by  the  French 
frigates  Astrea  and  Iphir/enia. 

During  the  time  that  the  Isle  of  Passe  had  been  held  bv  us, 
Tiieutenant  Blakiston  and  Ensign  C.  E  Trapaud  were  at  Bourbon. 

The  necessity  of  wresting  the  Mauritius  from  the  French 
now  became  more  apparent  than  ever,  and  preparations  were 
carried  on  with  renewed  vigour. 

The  Ceylon  frigate  arrived  off  the  Isle  of  France,  with 
Lieutenant-General  Abercrombie,  as  well  as  Ma,jor  Caldwell, 
Madras  Engineers,  who  was  Chief  Engineer. 

Not  having  heard  of  our  disaster  at  Isle  of  Passe,  on  reaching 
Port  Louis  they  were  surprised  to  find  none  of  our  blockading 
squadron,  and  on  looking  into  the  port  they  saw  two  of  enemy's 
ships  getting  under  weigh  to  give  chase  to  Ceylon. 

Captain  Gordon,  of  Ceylon,  immediately  bore  up  for  Bourbon, 
but  observing  that  one  of  the  enemy  out-sailed  the  other,  thought, 
by  shortening  sail,  and  allowing  the  headmost  vessel  to  come 
up,  he  could  beat  them  in  detail.  The  Ceylun  was  one  of 
the  smallest  class  of  18-pounder  frigates.  .After  a  smart 
action  with  the   Venus,   in    which  both  vessels  were   dismasted 

28  • 


436  MILITAEY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1810. 

and  unmanageable,  Captain  Gordon  bad  to  strike  bis  colours  to 
tbe  Victor  sloop,  wbich  bad  arrived,  and  taken  up  a  raking 
position  under  bis  stem.  In  tbe  morning  tbe  Boadicea,  attracted 
by  tbe  firing,  came  out  from  St.  Paul's,  and  pinked  up  tbe  two 
opponents,  Ceylon  and  Venus,  wbicb  bad  drifted  close  to  tbe 
island.     Tbe  Victor  got  off. 

Tbe  Frencb  tbus  very  nearly  succeeded  in  capturing  tbe 
Commander-in  Cbief,  and  Cbief  Engineer  of  tbe  expedition.  A 
few  days  before  tbis  tbe  Africaine  (Captain  Corbett)  made  ber 
appearance  off  St.  Denis.  Perceiving  two  Frencb  sbips,  be  sent 
overland  to  Commodore  Pym,  to  inform  bim  of  bis  arrival,  and 
proposed  to  attack  tbe  enemy.  Tbe  Commodore  lost  no  time  in 
getting  under  weigb.  Tbe  Frencb  sbips  were  eigbt  miles 
distant,  but  Captain  Corbett  soon  closed  witb  tbem,  being  to 
windward  ;  not  so  tbe  Boadicea,  wbicb  bad  to  work  up  to  wind- 
ward. About  2  A.M.,  tbe  Africaine  found  berself  between  tbe 
two  French  sbips,  wben  it  became  calm ;  and  tbe  Boadicea  four 
or  five  miles  to  leeward.  Captain  Corbett  was  killed,  and  tbe 
Africaine  \.'&k.&[i.  In  tbe  morning  tbe  Boadicea  came  up,  but  tbe 
breeze  wbicb  brougbt  ber  along  carried  off  tbe  Frencb  frigates, 
and  tbeir  prize  was  abandoned  to  tbe  Commodore,  by  wbom  sbe 
was  towed,  dismasted,  into  St.  Pauls. 

Lieutenant  Blakiston  and  Ensign  Trapaud  assisted  Commo- 
dore Rowley  in  taking  soundings,  &c.  for  tbe  attack  of  tbe 
Mauritius. 

On  l4tb  October  1810,  Commodore  Rowley  sailed  from  St. 
Paul's  to  resume  tbe  blockade  of  tbe  Mauritius,  taking  witb  bim 
Major-General  Abercrombie  (wbo  was  to  command  the  military 
expedition). 

On  19tb  October,  be  arrived  off  Port  Louis,  wben  he 
found  tbe  whole  of  tbe  enemy  s  naval  force  in  tbe  port. 
He  then  proceeded  to  Rodrigues,  and  found  tbe  troops  from 
Bombay  bad  arrived,  followed  soon  after  by  those  from 
Madras. 


1810.1  MADRAS    ENGINEEKS.  437 

In  August  the  troops  had  left  Madras.  There  were  Madras 
Pioneers  attached  to  the  force,  and  Lieutenant  Charles 
Swanston  ^vas  sent  with  them.  On  arrival  at  Rodrigues  he  was 
attached  to  the  engineer  department  as  an  acting  engineer. 

Ensign  Proby  came  with  the  force  from  Madras.  Blakiston 
was  now  appointed  Captain  of  Guides. 

Lieutenant  Scouler  and  some  of  the  Madras  Pioneers  had 
also  been  despatched  from  Bourbon. 

The  22nd  November  was  fixed  for  the  day  of  departure.  The 
Bengal  Division  just  arrived  in  time. 

On  28th  November,  the  expedition  arrived  in  sight  of  the 
island. 

The  fleet  consisted  of : — 

Illustrious,  74  guns. 
Cornivallis,  44  guns. 
Africaine,  38  guns. 
Boadicea,         „ 
Nixus,  „ 

Cloritide  „ 

Menelaus,         „ 
Nereide,  „ 

Phoebe,  36  guns. 
Doris,  „ 

Cornelia,  32  guns. 
Psyche,  „ 

Ceylon,  ,, 

The  French  had  very  considerably  improved  the  sea  de- 
fences, but  they  had  to  a  great  extent  neglected  the  land 
fortifications,  of  Port  Louis.  The  great  obstacle  to  an  attack 
had  always  been  the  supposed  impossibility  of  lauding  with 
any  considerable  force,  owing  to  the  reefs,  and  want  of  an- 
chorage. 

The  difficulties  had  been  surmounted  by  the  indefatigable 
exertions  of  Commodore  Rowley,  who,  assisted  by   Lieutenant 


438  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1810. 

Street,  Lieutenant  Blakiston,  of  Madras  Engineers,  and  the 
masters  of  Africawe  and  Boadicea,  had  sounded  and  minutely 
examined  every  part  of  the  leeward  side  of  the  island.  It  was 
discovered  that  a  fleet  might  safely  anchor  between  an  islet 
called  Coin  de  Mire,  and  the  mainland,  and  that  there  were 
several  openings  in  the  reef  where  boats  might  enter. 

On  morning  of  29th,  the  fleet  anchored.  Soon  after,  debarka- 
tion commenced,  and  in  three  hours  10,000  men,  guns,  stores, 
ammunition,  and  three  days'  provisions,  were  landed.  The 
enemy  at  once  abandoned  Malastre — the  only  fortified  place 
near.  Troops  were  instantly  put  into  motion,  and  took  posses- 
sion of  a  thick  wood  on  the  road.  To  obtain  this,  they  had  a 
slight  engagement.  At  midnight  they  halted,  but  pushed  on 
before  daybreak. 

There  was  a  great  deficiency  of  water,  and  the  way  was 
through  thick  brushwood,  which  caused  intolerable  labour  in 
dragging  forward  artillery  and  stores.  Two  officers  and  several 
men  died  on  the  march  from  the  extreme  heat.  About  noon,  a 
position  was  taken  up  at  Moulin- a-Pondre,  five  miles  from  Port 
Louis.  In  the  afternoon,  the  French  General,  Decaen,  recon- 
noitred, and  surprised  a  small  picket,  but  he  was  shortly  after 
driven  back. 

Before  daybreak  the  following  day,  a  brigade,  under  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel McLeod,  attacked  some  batteries  on  the  sea-coast 
to  our  right,  and  captured  them.  At  5  the  main  body  was  put  in 
motion.  It  encountered  the  enemy  posted  in  a  strong  position 
with  field-pieces.  The  European  flank  battalioi.s  formed,  charged 
the  enemy,  and  compelled  them  to  retire  with  the  loss  of  their 
guns,  and  many  killed  and  wounded 

Two  of  our  officers  fell — Colonel  J.  Campbell,  33rd,  and 
Major  O'Keefe  of  the  Royals.  A  signal  post  on  a  hill,  called 
the  Vivebot,  was  taken  possession  of,  and  the  British  flag  hoisted. 
The  weather  was  still  very  oppressive,  and  the  troops  were 
greatly  exhausted. 


(7 


1810.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  439 

Next  morning  preparations  were  made  for  an  attack,  but  they 
were  interrupted  by  a  flag  of  truce,  offering  to  capitulate  on  the 
following  conditions  : — 

'■  Vessels  in  harbour  to  be  retained." 

"  All  articles  belonging  to  the  Emperor  to  be  retained." 

"  Troops  and  seamen  to  be  sent  to  France." 

The  first  two  were  rejected,   but  the  last  most  unaccountably 
accepted. 
On  3rd  December  the  island  was  surrendered. 
The  garrison  was    1,300  men,  including  500  Irishmen,  chiefly 
recruits  taken  out  of  Indiamen. 

The  Militia  amounted  to  10,000  men;  209  heavy  pieces  of 
ordnance  were  taken. 

The  guns  were  in  excellent  order,  and  batteries  fully 
equipped. 

Our  loss  in  the  expedition  amounted   only  to  29   killed,  9!* 
wounded,  and  45  missing  ;  total  173. 
The  following  vessels  were  captured: — 
Five  French  frigates — 
Bellone, 
Miner  ve, 
Maniche, 
Astree, 

Ij)hegenie  (late  English). 
Victor  (corvette), 
Entreprenant,  and  another, 

and  several  merchant  vessels. 

The  Bellone  and  Astree  were  put  into  our  navy,  and  the 
[pheylnie  restored  to  it.  The  Ncreide  was  found  to  be  too  much 
battered  to  be  of  any  use,  and  was  sold  to  be  broken  up. 

Major  Caldwell,  Lieutenant  Blakiston,  Ensigns  Trapaud  and 
Proby,  returned  to  Madras  in  January  and  February  1811,  but 
Davies  remained  for   a  year   as  Military  and  Civil  Engineer  in 


440  MILlTAliY    HISTORY    OF    THE  11810-12. 

the  Isle  of  Bourbon,  and  did  not  return  to  Madras  till  February 
1812. 

After  the  capitulation,  Lieutenant  Swanston,  of  the  Madras 
Pioneers,  was  appointed  to  make  a  military  survey  of  the  island, 
including  soundings  of  its  harbours  and  coasts.  He  finished 
this  work  in  August  1(S12,  and  was  then  sent  to  England  to 
lay  his  work  before  the  Duke  of  York,^  and  afford  such  informa- 
tion as  might  be  desired. 

Ma-jor-General  VVarde  warmly  eulogized  his  services,  and  the 
Duke  of  York  recommended  him  in  the  strongest  manner  to  the 
Couit  of  Directors.  Lieutenant  Swanston  was  offered  a  com- 
pany in  the  Royal  Staff  Corps,  which  he  declined,  and  he  was 
presented  by  the  British  Government  with  a  purse  of  .500 
guineas. 

*  At  that  time  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  British  Army. 


1809J  MADBAS   ENGINEERS.  441 


CHAPTER   XYI. 

Force  in  the  field  to  protect  Nagpore. — Dispute  between  Sir  George  Barlow  and 
officers  of  the  Madras  Army  producing  the  so-called  Mutiny. — Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Bell,  of  the  Artillery. — Colonel  Bell  seizes  treasure. — Colonel 
Davies  placed  in  confinement. — Colonel  Bell  threatens  to  destroy  bridges 
over  the  Cauvery. — Troops  from  Chittledroog  march  to  Seringapatam. 
— Conference  held.  — •  Fortress  surrendered.  —  Memorial  of  Madras  En- 
gineers regarding  promotion. — -Establishment  of  a  Battalion  of  Pioneers. 
— Sir  John  Malcolm's  Mission  to  Persia. — Grant  and  Fotheringham  sent 
to  Baghdad,  McDonald  and  Monteith  to  Bussorah. — Grant  and  Fothering- 
ham murdered. — Malcolm  visits  Futteh  Ali  Shah. — Sir  Gore  Ouseley 
appointed  Ambassador  by  the  Crown. — Malcolm  desires  to  leave  Persia. 
— Anxiety  of  the  King  for  retention  of  Malcolm. — Order  of  the  Lion 
and  Sun  instituted,  and  conferred  on  Malcolm. — Malcolm  quits  Tabreez. 
— Lieutenants  Christie,  Ijindsay,  and  Monteith  remain  in  Persia. — First 
Engineer  officers  who  passed  through  Addiscombe  College. — The  French 
occupy  Java. — British  expedition  against  Java. — Movements  of  the  fleet. — 
Course  of  the  reconnoitring  party. — Mackenzie  recommends  Chillingching 
as  the  landing-place.— Position  of  troops  after  debarkation. — Tanjong  Priok. 
— Army  crosses  Autchol  river. — Colonel  Gillespie  to  Wetteroreden. — 
Extracts  from  Colonel  Gillespie's  despatch. — Siege  of  Cornells. — Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Clarges  mortally  wounded. — The  several  columns  of  attack. — 
Gillespie  captures  the  advanced  redoubt,  and  crosses  the  bridge. — Arrival  of 
Colonel  Gibbs. — Movements  of  remaining  columns. — Colonel  McLeod  killed. 
— Wood's  column. — Column  under  Major  Yule. — Total  defeat  of  the  enemy. 
— Our  losses. — General  Janssens  ilies  to  Buitzonzong. — Extract  from  Lord 
Minto's  letter  to  Secretary  of  State. — Cheribon  surrenders,  and  General 
Jumel  taken  prisoner. — Janssens  surrenders  the  island. — Fort  Ludowyck 
surrenders. —  Sir  S.  Auchmuty  sets  sail  for  Batavia,  en  route  for  Madras. — 
Hostilities  with  the  Sultan  of  Mataram,  and  capture  of  Djoejocarta. — 
Subsequent  operations  of  the  British  forces. — Expedition  against  Djoejocarta. 
— Sultan  demands  our  surrender.  —  The  Sultan  surrenders.  —  Gillespie 
wounded. — Mackenzie  ordered  to  remain  in   Java  by  the  Commander-in- 


442  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1809. 

Chief. — Field  force  under  Colonel  Dowse  in  South  Mahratta  country. — Four 
sapperi  detained  in  Java  to  assist  in  forming  a  colonial  corps. — Field  force 
at  Gooty  under  Major-General  Taylor. — Establishment  of  European  oflBcers 
of  Pioneers  revised. — Adjutants  appointed  to  each  battahon  of  Pioneers. — 
Detachment  of  Madras  Pioneers  ordered  to  Ceylon. — Pioneers  employed 
with  Hydrabad  subsidiary  force  under  Colonel  Doveton. — Force  assembled 
at  Gooty  for  service  against  Kurnool. — Casualties  in  Corps  of  Engineers 
from  December  1810  to  December  1816. —  Pay  of  Acting  Chief  Engineer. — 
Additions  to  the  Corps. — Major  Farquhar  at  Malacca. — Lieutenant  Monteith 
in  Persia.—  Lieutenant-General  Trapaud's  memorial  regarding  officers  of 
Engineers'  exclusion  from  Staff  employ. 

In  November  1809,  a  force  was  assembled  under  Colonel  Barry 
Close  for  service  in  Nagpore,  which  was  threatened  to  be  invaded 
by  Ameer  Khan.  It  consisted  of  two  brigades  of  cavalry,  and 
three  of  infantry. 

A  detachment  of  Madras  Pioneers,  under  Captain  Bowes, 
was  attached  to  this  force. 

It  occupied  Seronge  in  March  1 810,  and  remained  in  the  field 
till  May,  when  Colonel  Close  returned  to  Hydrabad,  leaving  one 
brigade  to  watch  Berar  frontier,  and  with  this  brigade  one 
company  of  Pioneers  remained. 

In  1809,  the  dispute  between  Sir  George  Barlow  and  officers 
of  the  Madras  army  took  place.  It  was  due  to  the  tyrannical 
proceedings  of  Government;  and  although  nothing  could  justify 
the  mutinous  conduct  of  the  oflBcers,  there  is  no  doubt  the 
Governor-General  himself  considered  (as  well  as  the  Court  of 
Directors)  that  the  officers  had  very  great  cause  to  complain  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  Local  Government, 

The  causes  which  produced  the  conflict  were  : — 

1st.  Depriving    the    Commander-in-Chief  of    a    seat    in 
Council. 

2nd.  Transfer    of  all    important  commands    to    oflficers    of 

Royal  Army. 
3rd.  Abolition  of  tent  contract. 
4th.  Suspension  of  Captain  Bowles,   D.A.G.,  for  carrying 

out  orders  of  Commander-in-Chief. 


1809.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  443 

5th.  Suspension  of  Colonel  St.  Leger,  Major  De  Morgan, 
Captains  Marshall,  Cuppage,  and  Colonel  Combes, 
and  supersession  of  Majors  Keasberry,  Muirhead, 
Hazlewood,  and  Captain  Smith,  for  expressing 
sympathy  'with  Captain  Bowles. 

6th.  The  issuing  of  instructions  by  Government  requiring 
all  their  officers  to  sign  a  test  pledge  engaginEr  them 
to  support  measures  of  Government,  under  a  penalty 
of  being  sent  from  their  regiments  and  "interned" 
on  the  coast. 

Owing  to  the  refusal  of  the  test  pledge,  numbers  of  officers 
were  interned  on  the  coast,  and  3U0  of  them  were  sent  to  Pondi- 
cherry  (amongst  them  Lieutenant  Blakiston). 

Although  the  crisis  became  very  grave  at  Hyderabad,  Masuli- 
patam,  &c.,  the  only  place  where  the  affair  became  dangerous  was 
at  Seringapatam.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Bell,  of  Artillery,  com- 
manded. His  removal  had  been  ordered  by  Sir  George  Barlow 
for  having  signed  a  paper  expressing  sympathy  with  theD.  A.  G. 
The  Honourable  Mr.  Cole  (Resident  at  Mysore;  reported  that 
any  attempt  to  enforce  the  orders  would  be  met  by  revolt. 

On  29th  July,  the  garrison  of  Seringapatam  took  forcible 
possession  of  the  treasury,  placed  100  men  of  80th  (part  of 
the  garrison)  under  restraint,  and  a  few  days  afterwards 
expelled  them. 

Mr.  Cole,  in  unison  witli  Purneah,  the  Mysore  Prime  Minister, 
took  measures  for  surrounding  the  island.  Colonel  Bell  stationed 
guards  on  the  mainland  ;  and  on  night  of  1st  August,  he 
detached  a  company  of  Native  Infantry  to  seize  treasure 
(120,000  rupees)  which  was  passing.  The  only  troops  on  whom 
Mr.  Cole  could  rely,  were  2oth  Light  Dragoons  and  59th  Foot, 
and  these  were  at  Mandia,  fifteen  miles  north  of  Seringapatam. 

Meanwhile,  the  officers  at  the  Mount  bad  signed  the  test ;  and 
Colonel  Davies,  commanding  at  Mysore,  had  gone  to  Seringa- 
patam to  get  the  same  thing  done  there. 


444  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1809. 

He  was  placed  in  confinement  for  a  few  hours,  and  then 
released  without  a  reply. 

On  2nd  August,  the  garrison  took  the  Paymaster's  treasure 
(45,000  rupees),  and  on  the  same  night  sent  500  men  with  guns 
to  meet  and  escort  two  Native  corps  from  Chittledroog  (garrison 
of  Seringapatam  consisted  of  two  Native  regiments,  200  or  300 
artillery,  and  100  men  of  the  80th).  Mr.  Cole  sent  1,000 
Mysore  Horse  to  harass  this  detachment,  and  sent  to  Bangalore 
to  expedite  the  troops  from  that  station.  At  first  Colonel  Gibbs, 
commanding  at  Bangalore,  refused  to  send  European  troops 
without  orders  from  the  Government  of  Madras. 

On  5th  August,  Mr.  Cole  received  a  letter  from  Colonel  Bell, 
betraying  a  desire  to  come  to  terms.  Mr.  Cole  offered  oblivion 
of  the  past  on  condition  that  the  officers  of  the  garrison  should 
sign  the  test,  which  they  would  not  accept  The  two  battalions 
at  Chittledroog  plundered  the  treasury  of  80,000  rupees,  and 
having  been  reinforced  by  a  third  corps,  began  their  march  to 
Seringapatam.  Mr.  Cole  despatched  1,500  peons  with  match- 
locks, and  3,000  Silladar  horse,  to  manoeuvre  between  them,  and 
Seringapatam. 

Colonel  Bell  had  meantime  stored  grain  for  several  months, 
and  wrote  to  Mr.  Cole,  threatening  to  destroy  the  bridges  over 
the  Cauvery. 

The  three  battalions  were  met  on  7th  August  by  the  armed 
Peons  and  Mysore  horse,  who  fell  back  before  them.  They 
reached  the  neighbourhood  of  Seringapatam  on  10th  August. 
The  Mysore  Irregulars  were  here  joined  by  25th  Dragoons, 
H.M.'s  59th,  a  detachment  of  Native  Cavalry,  and  a  Native 
battalion,  whose  officers  had  been  "  interned  ''  on  the  coast.  The 
Mysore  Plorse  advanced ;  they  were  fired  on  and  repulsed.  The 
25th  then  came  up.  The  men  of  the  battalions  had  been  ordered 
not  to  fire  on  the  Europeans,  and  they  dispersed  at  once ;  made 
for  a  part  of  the  river  commanded  by  fire  of  the  fort,  and 
most  of  them  succeeded  in  entering  Seringapatam. 


180&-10.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  445 

The  commandant  was  wounded,  and  made  prisoner,  and  one 
oflScer  killed. 

Colonel  Gibb's  encampment  was  cannonaded  from  the  fort 
during  the  night,  and  compelled  to  move  Of  the  three  battalions, 
9  were  killed,  150  wounded,  and  281  missing. 

On  14th  August,  a  conference  was  held  between  Colonel 
Davies,  on  one  side,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Bell  and  two  other 
officers  (Captain  Cadell,  and  De  Havilland,  of  Madras  Engi- 
neers) on  the  other.  The  result  was  unsatisfactory.  The 
officers  of  the  Hydrabad  Contingent  now  yielded,  and  signed 
the  test. 

This  paper  reached  Mr.  Cole  on  18th,  and  he  sent  it  to  the 
"officers  composing  the  garrison  "  of  Seringapatam. 

On  morning  of  21st,  two  officers  from  fort  came  to  Mysore 
under  a  flag  of  truce  (Captain  De  Havilland  of  Engineers,  and 
Captain  Cadell). 

They  were  received  by  Mr.  Cole  and  Colonel  Davies.  They 
stated  that  an  address  similar  to  the  Hyderabad  address  was 
being  signed,  and  urged  that  hostilities  should  cease.  To  this, 
it  was  replied,  that  beyond  a  cessation  of  hostilities  during  the 
night,  they  would  listen  to  nothing  except  "  the  actual  delivery 
of  fort  and  arms,''  and  that  they  would  hold  no  communications 
with  Colonel  Bell.  The  following  day  the  address  and  test  was 
signed,  and  on  23rd,  the  fortress  and  arms  were  surrendered. 

Colonel  Bell  was  tried  by  a  court-martial,  and  cashiered  ;  also 
three  other  officers. 

Remainder  were  given  the  option  of  leaving  the  service,  or 
being  tried. 

They  accordingly  left  the  service,  but  were  subsequently 
restored. 

List  of  Oficers  iv/io  were  Tried  or  Dismissed 

1.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Bell,  commanding  at  Seringapatam. 
Cashiered,  March  8,  18  ;o. 


446  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1810. 

2.  Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Doveton,  commanding  Detach- 
ment of  Hydrabad  Subsidiary  Force.  Dismissed  ;  restored, 
afterwards  Major-General,  C.B. 

3.  Major  Joseph  Stoney,  commanding  at  Masulipatam  Dis- 
missed ;  restored,  afterwards  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  died  1818. 

4.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Robert  Munro,  at  Seriogapatam.  Dis- 
missed ;  restored,  afterwards  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  died  1817 

5.  Major  Kenny,  at  Seringapatam.  Dismissed,  restored, 
afterwards  Colonel  Commanding  ;  died  1829. 

6.  Captain  J.  F.  De  Havilland,  Engineers,  at  Seringapatam. 
Dismissed ;  restored,  afterwards  Lieutenant-Colonel,  retired 
1825. 

7.  Captain  George  Cadell,  Town  Major  at  Seringapatam. 
Dismissed;  restored,  afterwards  Lieutenant-Colonel:  retired 
1827. 

8.  Captain  Hugh  Macintosh,  marched  from  Chittledroog. 
Dismissed ;  not  restored. 

9.  Captain  F.  K.  Aiskill,  marched  from  Chittledroog.  Dis- 
missed ;  not  restored. 

10.  Captain  A.  Andrews,  M.E.,  at  Masulipatam.  Dismissed; 
restored,  afterwards  Colonel  and  C.B.,  1829. 

11.  Captain  James  Patterson,  at  Samulcottah.  Dismissed; 
not  restored. 

12.  Captain  George  Wahab,  at  Chicacole.  Dismissed;  re- 
stored, afterwards  Major-General,  1837. 

13.  Captain  James  Sadler,  at  Ellore.  Dismissed;  restored; 
killed,  27th  November  1817,  at  Nagpore. 

14.  Captain  J.    L.    Lushington,     at  Jaulna.     Dismissed ;   re 
stored,  afterwards    K.C.B.  and    Cieneral  Director  of  E.    I.    C, 
1827. 

15.  Captain  A.  McLeod,  at  Jaulna.  Dismissed;  restored, 
afterwards  Lieutenant-Colonel,  1820;  died  1825. 

16.  Captain  C.  Hopkinson,  Artillery,  at  Jaulna.  Dismissed; 
restored,  afterwards  Sir  C.  Hopkinson,    C.B  ,  retired  1829. 

17.  Captain  G.  W.  Poignard,  at  Jaulna.  Dismissed;  re- 
stored ;  died  1820. 


1810.] 


MADRAS    ENGINEERS. 


447 


18.  Captain  Gibson,  at  Jaulna.  Dismissed;  restored,  after- 
wards Major  ;  died,  1814. 

It).  Captain  Thomas  Pollock,  at  Jaulna.  Dismissed  ;  restored, 
afterwards  Major-General  and  C.B  ,  1<S37. 

20.  Major  Mathew  Stewart,  at  Jaulna  Dismissed;  restored, 
afterwards  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  died,  1818. 

21.  Captain  John  Turner,  at  Seringapatam.  Died  before  trial 
came  oflF. 

Captain  De  Havilland  was  reappointed  September  1812. 

On  8th  November  1810,  the  Government  received  a  letter 
from  the  Honourable  Court  of  Directors,  in  which  it  was 
stated  : — 

"  We  have  taken  into  consideration  the  memorial  of  the 
Engineer  oflBcers,  and  being  satisfied  that  the  promotion  in  that 
Corps  has  not  kept  pace  with  that  of  the  other  branches  of  the 
military  service,  we  have  resolved  upon  the  following  establish- 
ment for  the  Engineers  '■ — 

1  Colonel     ... 

2  Lieutenant-Colonels 


2  Majors 
9  Captains    .. 
8  Lieutenants 
8  Ensigns     .., 

30 


1  Colonel. 

1  Lieutenant-Colonel. 

1  Major. 

4  Captains. 

4  Captain-Lieutenants. 

8  Lieutenants. 

8  Ensisns. 


27 


"  The  establishment  is  to  be  considered  as  having  effect  from 
Istj  January  180G,  but  the  officers  of  Engine. -rs  wlio  are  pro- 
moted in  consequence  are  to  receive  only  the  difference  of  pay 
from  that  (?)  date." 

When  this  order  was  promulgated,  the  Engineer  Corps  con- 
sisted of  the  following  : — 

Colonel  Trapaud. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Norris. 
„  Lennon. 


448  MILITAKY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [WlO. 

Major  Mackenzie. 

,,       Caldwell. 
Captain  Blair,  Brevet-Major. 
„         Farquhar  (Malacca). 
„         R.  Fotheringham. 
„         Cleghorne. 
„         De  Havilland. 
„         Cotgrave. 
„         J.  Fotheringham. 
„         Torriano. 
„         Fraser. 
„         Ravenshaw. 
Lieutenant  Arthur. 
„  Garrard. 

„  Blakiston. 

„  Mackintosh. 

„  Milbourne. 

„  Monteith. 

„  Trapaud 

„  Davies. 

Ensign  Fullarton. 
„         C.  Nattes. 

D.  Sim. 
„        Coventry. 
„         Anderson. 

Proby. 
„         Grant 
Casualties  between  1803  and  1810  : — 

Sydenham,  resigned,  13th  January  1808. 
Bradley,  lost  on  Lady  Jane  Dundas,  14th  March  1809. 
De  Havilland,  dismissed,  0th  April  1810. 
Russell,  resigned,  13th  January  1810. 
Rowley,  died,  28th  June  1803. 
Russell  built  the  Residency  at  Hydrabad.     When   Sydenham 
(brother  of  Benjamin  Sydenham  of  Madras  Engineers)   resigned 
the   post    of   Resident,    Samuel    Russell    accompanied    him    to 


isiai 


MADRAS    ENGINEERS. 


449 


Poona  He  returned,  however,  from  Poona  to  Hydrabad  witli 
Mr.  H.  Russell,  who  had  been  transferred  from  Poona  as  Resi- 
dent. In  January  1810,  Samuel  Russell  resigned  the  service, 
and  joined  the  mercantile  house  of  William  Palmer  at  Hvdra- 
bad.     In  August  1810,  the  house  consisted  of — 

William   Palmer,   Hastings  Palmer,  Bunketty  Doss,  Samuel 
Russell,  and  William  Currie. 

In    1813,   Samuel  Russell  left   the    firm  with   twelve  lacs  of 
rupees,  half  of  which  he  had  brought  into  the  house. 

In  October  1810,  the  establishment  of  a  battalion  of  Pioneers 
was  fixed  as  follows  : — 
3  Captains 


-4  Subalterns 

1  Assistant-Surgeon 

8  Jemadars 

1  Sergeant-Major 
24  Havildars 
24  Naigues 
700  Privates 

9  Puckallies 


8  European  oflBcers. 
8  Native  officers. 
758  Non-commissioned    offi- 
cers and  men. 


Attached  to  the  battalion  were  a  few  Maistry  bricklavers, 
stone-cutters,  sawyers,  carpenters,  &c.,  amounting  to  twenty- 
eight,  besides  two  dressers  and  two  toties. 

In  October  1809,  Lieutenant  William  Monteith,  of  Engineers 
was  attached  to  Sir  John  Malcolm's  Mission  to  Persia,  after 
having  been  Adjutant  of  Engineers  for  a  year  and  three- 
quarters. 

The  Mission  did  not  start  from  Bombay  till  1 0th  Januarv 
1810,  in  the  Psyche,  James  Sibbald,  and  other  vessels. 

Malcolm's  stafi"  consisted  of — 

Captain  Charles  Pasley,  Secretary. 
Lieutenant  Steward,  First  Assistant. 
H.  Ellis,  Esq.,  Second  Assistant. 
A.  Jukes,  Esq.,  Tiiird  Assistant 

29 


450  :,IILITAIIY    HIS'lORY    OF    THE  [1810. 

Lieutenant  J.  Briggs,  Supernumerary. 

„  McDonald, 

„  Little,  „ 

Surgeon  Colbourn. 
„        Cormick. 
Captain  Grant,  commanding  Escort. 
Lieutenant  Frederick,  attached  to  Escort. 

„  Martin,  „ 

„  Lindsay,  „ 

„  Johnson,  „ 

,,  Fotberingham,  ,, 

„  William  Monteith,  Madras  Engineers. 

Lieutenant   Christie    and   Ensign    Pottinger   had    previously 
started  from  Bombay. 
Escort  consisted  of — 

26  Madras  Horse  Artillery. 
14  17th  Light  Dragoons. 
48  Bombay  Native  Infantry. 

On  26th  January,  they  arrived  off  Muscat,  and  entered 
Bushire  13th  February. 

On  8th  April,  the  King's  firman  was  received  ;  and  on  the 
15th,  Malcolm  commenced  his  march  to  the  capital. 

Ti'avelling  more  than  twenty  miles  daily,  they  approached 
Shiraz  on  27tli  April.  Soon  after  his  arrival  at  Bushire, 
Malcolm  had  sent  two  officers  to  Baghdad  and  two  others  to 
Bussorah. 

To  Baghdad,  Captain  Grant  and  Lieutenant  Fotberingham. 

To  Bussorah,  Captain  McDonald  and  Lieutenant  Monteith. 

They  were  sent  in  search  of  information  regarding  the  countries 
through  which  they  travelled.  Captain  Grant  and  Lieutenant 
Fotberingham  were  murdered  on  their  way  from  Baghdad  to 
join  Malcolm  on  his  way  to  the  capital.  They  travelled  by  a 
different  route  from  that  which  Malcolm  had  indicated,  and  their 
road  lay  through  a  defile  infested  by  a  robber  gang. 


1810.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  451 

They  were  met  by  the  robber  chief,  who  persuaded  them  to 
alight  and  refresh.  Grant  was  shot  dead  ;  the  rest  were  seized 
and  carried  about  as  prisoners  for  four  days.  Then  Kelb  Ali, 
the  chief,  separated  the  Christians  from  the  Mussalmani,  allowed 
the  latter  to  go,  but,  when  Fotheringham  and  three  of  his 
servants  refused  to  become  Mussalmani,  shot  them  dead. 

On  the  6th  May,  Malcolm  heard  of  this  disaster,  to  his  great 
grief. 

The  next  day,  McDonald  and  Monteith  arrived  safe  (although 
Malcolm  had  considered  their  journey  the  more  dangerous). 

On  16th  May,  Malcolm  and  suite  left  Shiraz 

On  5th  June,  they  left  Ispahan,  and  marched  by  stages  of 
twenty- five  or  thirty  miles. 

The  royal  camp  was  now  at  Sultanieh,  the  King  and  Crown 
Prince  being  engrossed  with  the  war  against  Russia.  Sir 
Harford  Jones,  the  Crown  Ambassador,  was  with  the  royal 
camp. 

Malcolm  neared  the  royal  camp  on  21st  June. 

On  the  23rd,  he  paid  his  first  ceremonial  visit  to  Futteh  Ali 
Shah,  and  was  most  graciously  received. 

On  1st  July,  Malcolm  exhibited  his  presents ;  and  next  day 
Futteh  Ali  broke  up  his  camp,  and  marched  to  the  great  plain 
in  the  vicinity  of  Tabreez.     Malcolm  with  his  suite  followed. 

Sir  Harford  Jones  here  put  into  Malcolm's  hand  some 
despatches  from  England,  from  which  it  appeared  that  the  Home 
Government  had  still  determined  to  regulate  our  relations  with 
Persia,  and  had  appointed  Sir  Gore  Ouseley  Ambassador  to  the 
Court  of  Teheran.  Malcolm  saw  at  once  his  occupation  was 
at  an  end,  and  that  he  could  no  longer  remain  at  the  Persian 
Court  in  a  recognised  official  position. 

The  King  and  Abbas  Meerza,  the  Crown  Prince,  desired  Mal- 
colm to  remain  to  aid  with  his  advice.  At  this  time,  the 
Russians  had  seized  on  Mekeri,  a  strong  fort  on  the  north  bank 
of  the  Arras,  about  fifty  miles  from  Tabreez.    Malcolm  told  Abbas 

29  * 


4.52  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  nsio. 

Meerza  that  he  would  visit  his  camp  at  Tabreez,  and  offer 
advice  ;  besides  giving  him  some  English  officers  and  expert 
officers.  He  also  promised  that  Macdonald  and  Monteith  should 
reconnoitre  Mekeri,  and  bring  back  exact  intelligence  of  the 
strength  of  the  Eussian  position. 

Malcolm  was  again  summoned  to  the  presence  of  the  King. 
The  King  asked  him  to  stop  as  long  as  he  could  at  Tabreez, 
and  said  he  would  always  be  his  first  favourite  among 
Europeans. 

A  new  order  was  instituted,  to  be  conferred  on  Malcolm.  A 
lion  couchant,  and  a  sun  rising  on  his  back  (the  Order  of  the 
Lion  and  Sun — K.  L.  S.).  He  was  also  made  a  "  Sepahdar," 
or  General  in  the  Persian  service.  Abbas  Meerza  was  very 
much  disappointed  at  Malcolm's  departure,  and  tried  his  utmost 
to  induce  him  to  remain. 

The  15th  July  was  fixed  on  for  Malcolm's  audience  of  leave. 
The  King  sent'him  a  sword,  and  a  horse  ;  and  a  firman  appointed 
him  Khan  and  Sepahdar  of  Persian  Empire. 

On  23rd  July,  Malcolm  quitted  Tabreez ;  and  on  20th 
August,  found  himself  on  the  banks  of  the  Tigris. 

At  Baghdad  they  were  detained  for  some  days,  by  a  revolt  in 
the  city,  and  were  entertained  by  Mr.  Rich,  the  Resident ;  Mrs. 
Rich,  daughter  of  Sir  James  Macintosh. 

About  the  middle  of  October,  Malcolm  left  Baghdad,  and 
dropping  down  the  Tigris,  reached  Bussorah  on  the  25th. 

On  the  29th,  Malcolm  left  in  the  Ternate  cruiser,  for 
Bombay,  and  reached  that  place  on  29th  November.  Lieutenants 
Christie,  Lindsay,  and  Monteith,  belonging  to  Malcolm's  Staff, 
remained  in  Persia. 

Further  on,  the  services  of  these  officers  in  Persia  will  be 
alluded  to. 

Lieutenants  Sim,  Coventry,  Anderson,  Proby,  and  Grant, 
appear  to  have  been  the  first  Madras  engineers  who  passed 
through    Addiscombe.      'They  were  reported  qualified  on  29th 


1810-110  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  463 

December  1809.     The  Court  of  Directors,  in  a  letter  dated  23rd 
January  1811,  wrote: — 

"  We  shall  hereafter  look  solely  to  our  own  establishment  for 
a  sufficient  number  of  well-educated  young  men  for  our  corps 
of  Artillery  and  Engineers." 

Two  public  examinations  were  resolved  on  yearly — one  in 
April,  the  other  in  October.  The  Court  determined  "to  select 
a  certain  proportion  of  the  most  promising,  who  were  reported 
qualified,  especially  for  the  Engineers." 

On  the  annexation  of  Holland  to  France,  Java  became  a 
French  possession. 

General  Daendels,  one  of  the  most  active  and  intelligent 
ofl&cers  of  the  French  service,  was  appointed  Governor.  He 
immediately  began  to  prepare  for  any  attack  the  British  might 
make.  His  powers  were  unlimited,  and  he  had  20,000  troops  at 
his  disposal.  At  a  heavy  charge,  roads  were  constructed  through 
the  island,  and  Fort  Ludowyck  was  erected  to  command  the 
straits  between  Java,  and  Madura.  The  seat  of  Government 
was  removed  to  the  suburbs  of  Batavia,  where  the  new  fortifi- 
cations assisting  the  natural  advantages  of  the  position,  seemed 
to  render  the  settlement  impregnable. 

Daendels  did  not  confine  his  attention  to  defence  alone,  but 
threatened  the  Moluccas  and  Spice  islands.  Had  the  French 
continued  much  longer  in  the  absolute  command  of  Java,  they 
would  have  been  in  a  position  to  sweep  the  seas,  and  seriously 
annoy  our  settlements. 

The  subversion  of  this  power  became,  therefore,  an  imperious 
duty  on  the  part  of  the  Indian  Government ;  and  this  was 
happily  accomplished  under  the  direction  of  Lieutenant-General 
Sir  Samuel  Auchmuty. 

The  expedition  destined  against  Java  having  completed  its 
preparations,  the  first  division  of  the   Madras  force  sailed   from 


454  MILITAKY    HISTOBY    OF    THE  [18H. 

Madras,  under  command  of  Colonel  Kobert  Gillespie,  on  18th 
April  1811,  under  convoy  of  the  Caroline  (Captain  Cole). 

The  remainder  followed  on  the  30th,  under  Major-General 
Wetherall,  under  convoy  of  Phaeton. 

The  day  after  their  departure,  a  tremendous  hurricane  came 
on.  All  the  vessels  in  the  Madras  roads,  including  H.M.S. 
Dover,  were  driven  on  shore ;  but  the  transports  (fifteen  in 
number)  having  left  in  good  time,  escaped.  The  last  of  the 
transports  carrying  horses  was  in  great  distress.  Out  of  sixty 
horses  she  lost  forty-three,  many  of  which  it  was  absolutely 
necessary  to  destroy  by  cutting  their  throats,  to  enable  the  sea- 
men to  close  the  ports.  But  the  chief  part  died  from 
suffocation,  from  the  hatches  having  been  battened  down. 

On  18th  May,  the  1st  Division  anchored  in  Penang  Harbour, 
which  was  the  first  rendezvous.  Three  days  afterwards,  the 
2nd  Division  arrived. 

On  24th  May,  the  expedition  sailed  for  Malacca,  which  it 
reached  on  1st  June.  The  Bengal  troops  had  arrived  some  five 
or   six   weeks   before,    and    were   encamped    along    the    shore* 

Directly  the  Madras  troops  arrived,  those  from  Bengal  re-em- 
barked. Lieutenant- Colonel  Colin  Mackenzie,  Chief  Engineer, 
and  Lieutenant  Blakiston,  of  Engineers,  were  directed  to  pro- 
ceed to  the  Coast  of  Java,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the 
proper  point  of  debarkation. 

They  got  under  weigh  on  evening  of  8th  June,  in  the  Phoenix 
Government  yacht,  accompanied  by  the  Naiitiltis.  The  same 
day,  the  1st  division  of  Bengal  troops  weighed  and  sailed  in 
company. 

On  I3th  June,  the  engineers  parted  company  with  the  fleet, 
which  went  through  the  Straits  of  Singapore ;  while  the 
engineers  pursued  the  southern  passage  through  the  straits  of 
Dryon. 

After  passing  the  Straits  of  Singapore,  the  fleet  stood  for 
Borneo,    passed    Timbalan    and    a    number   of    other    islands, 


1811.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  455 

coasting  along  at  a  distance  of  twenty  to  fifty  miles  from  the 
west  coast  of  Borneo,  and  arrived  on  3rd  July  at  the  High 
Islands. 

They  left  a  week  afterwards,  having  taken  in  a  good  supply 
of  water,  sailed  through  a  cluster  of  islands,  leaving  Carramata 
on  the  right  and  Borneo  on  the  left ;  and  on  20th  July  reached 
Point  Sambar,  extremity  of  south-west  corner  of  Borneo. 

Meantime,  the  two  vessels  with  the  engineers  made  the 
island  of  Banca  on  2 1st  June;  but,  owing  to  the  Nautilus 
having  sprung  her  main-mast,  they  did  not  reach  the  island  of 
Palambangan  till  the  29th.  Here  the  engineers  removed  on 
board  H.M.'s  sloop  Baracouta  (Captain  Owen),  and  made  sail 
for  Java. 

On  the  11th  July,  they  got  sight  of  the  lofty  mountain 
of  Cheribon,  in  Java;  shortly  after  they  made  Bumkin  island; 
and  on  the  13th,  anchored  alongside  H.M.S.  Leda,  in  Batavia 
Roads. 

On  the  14th,  the  engineers  (Colonel  Mackenzie  and  Lieu- 
tenant Blakiston)  left  the  ship  with  four  boats  belonging  to 
the  Leda  and  Baracouta,  with  thirty  men,  besides  seamen,  to 
reconnoitre  the  coast  to  east  of  Tangong  Priok.  Tlie  engineers 
dressed  themselves  as  seamen.  "  Colonel  Mackenzie,  who  stood 
six  feet  two  inches,  cut  a  most  ludicrous  figure  in  jacket  and 
trousers  belonging  to  the  Captain,  which  reached  about  half- 
way down  his  long  limbs." 

They  landed  to  the  east  of  the  Maronde  river ;  but  finding 
themselves  on  an  island,  they  dropped  lower  down,  and  landed 
near  Cliillingching.  Previous  to  landing  they  picked  up  a 
market  boat,  the  headman  of  which,  a  Chinese,  they  took  on 
shore,  as  a  guide.  Close  to  the  spot  where  they  landed,  was  a 
road,  apparently  leading  to  the  village.  The  guide  objected  to 
take  this  road,  as  there  was  a  ditch  in  the  way,  and  the  bridge 
over  it  was  broken ;  but  he  pointed  out  a  path  to  the  right. 
Colonel  Mackenzie  resolved  to  be  guided  by  him.     After  having 


466  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1811 

gone  a  quarter  of  a  mile  to  the  right,  they  struck  to  the 
left,  crossing  a  swamp,  and  fell  into  the  road  close  to  the 
village. 

They  were  just  on  the  point  of  entering  the  street,  when  a 
French  officer  sallied  out,  followed  by  a  large  party  of  soldiers. 
As  the  engineers  had  only  four  men  with  them,  and  being 
themselves  unarmed,  they  at  once  took  to  their  heels,  closely 
followed  by  the  enemy,  who  fired  smartly  at  them.  On  reaching 
the  seaside  they  found  only  a  few  marines  of  the  Leda.  They 
drew  them  up  at  the  end  of  the  avenue ;  but,  as  the  enemy 
appeared  to  be  in  force,  and  it  was  thought  fruitless  to  attempt 
to  face  them,  they  retreated  at  once  to  the  boats. 

The  marine  officer,  with  men  of  69th,  was  about  300  or  400 
yards  to  the  right,  and  being  out  of  the  way,  their  retreat  was 
cut  off,  and  they  were  made  prisoners.  While  the  engineers 
were  making  for  the  boats,  three  of  those  that  escaped  were 
wounded. 

This  was  no  doubt  a  scheme  to  draw  them  into  an  ambuscade  ; 
and  if  the  officer  commanding  had  been  a  little  more  patient  and 
allowed  them  to  advance  into  the  village,  they  would  have 
succeeded  in  capturing  Mackenzie  and  Blakiston  While  they 
were  pulling  off  from  the  shore,  Blakiston  had  a  narrow  escape 
from  a  musket-ball  that  lodged  in  the  oar  which  crossed  his 
body  exactly  opposite  to  the  pit  of  his  stomach. 

On  the  1 6th  they  weighed,  and  stood  to  the  east  to  make 
observations  regarding  the  coast. 

On  the  24th  they  anchored  in  the  Cheribon  roads,  and 
reconnoitred  the  town  and  beach,  by  rowing  along  within 
musket-shot  for  a  few  miles.  They  then  proceeded  to  cruise  off 
Indermaya,  and  on  26th  July  fell  in  with  the  Modesto  and  Leda 
frigates. 

Colonel  Mackenzie  and  Lieutenant  Blakiston  shifted  their 
quarters  to  the  Leda,  and  to  the  end  of  the  month  they 
employed  themselves  in    exploring    the   Indermaya    river,   up 


1811]  MADRAB    ENGINEERS.  45 

■which  they  rowed  a  considerable  distance  without  any 
interruption. 

On  1st  August  they  fell  in  with  the  Baracoiita,  and  were 
informed  that  the  expedition  had  arrived  two  days  before  at 
Bumkiu  Island,  and  was  to  sail  that  morning  to  the  west.  They 
immediately  made  sail,  overtook  the  fleet  before  dark,  and 
at  ouce  went  on  board  the  Akhar  to  see  Sir  Samuel  Auch- 
muty. 

The  fleet  had  left  Point  Sambar  for  Java  on  27th  July,  had 
reached  Boompie's  Island  on  the  30th,  waited  till  2nd  August, 
and  then  proceeded  towards  Batavia. 

Colonel  Mackenzie  recommended  that  a  landing  was  most 
advisable  at  Chillingching,  ten  miles  from  Batavia. 

On  3rd  August  the  squadron  made  Cape  Caramong.  Early 
next  morning  they  ran  in  for  the  mouth  of  the  INIaronde  river, 
and  before  4,  being  ofi"  Chillingching,  the  troops  commenced 
to  land. 

The  advance  was  commanded  by  Colonel  Gillespie. 

Captain  Smithwaite  commanded  the  Pioneers. 

The  line  was  commanded  by  General  Wetherall. 

The  reserve  by  Colonel  Wood. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Mackenzie  was  Chief  Engineer. 

Lieutenant  Blakiston,  of  ^ladras  Engineers,  was  Aide-de- 
Camp  to  the  General  Sir  Samuel  Auchmuty,  and  Major 
Farquhar,  Madras  Engineers,  was  in  charge  of  the  Guides  and 
Intelligence  Department.  The  other  Madras  Engineers  with 
the  army  were  : — 

Lieutenant  Garrard,  Adjutant. 

Ensign  FuUarton  (was  left  sick  at  Malacca). 

,,         Proby. 

,,         Coventry. 

,,         Anderson. 
Sim. 


458  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1811 

The  army  consisted  of : —  j^  q  0.  and 

Officers.  Privates. 

European  force  ...  ...     200     ...     5,144 

Native  force 124     ...      5,653 

Pioneers,  &c.  ...  ...  ...       —     ...         839 


324      +    11,636 
Grand  total     ...  ...     11,960 

Of  these  1,200  were  left  sick  at  Malacca,  and  1,500  more 
were  sick  when  they  landed  in  Java,  so  that  only  9,260  were 
fit  for  service. 

The  landing-pomt  being  considered  by  the  enemy  of  great 
difficulty,  on  account  of  natural  obstacles,  was  left  unguarded 
and  the  debarkation  was  effected  without  loss,  there  being  no 
opposition. 

Before  night,  the  whole  of  the  infantry,  with  their  guns, 
were  on  shore ;  advanced  posts  were  pushed  on  two  miles,  and 
the  troops  formed  in  two  lines — one  fronting  Batavia,  the  other 
Cornelis. 

On  the  5th,  the  horse  artillery  and  cavalry  were  landed,  the 
position  of  the  army  was  advanced  towards  Batavia,  and  the 
advance  took  post  at  Suyraimah,  six  miles  on  the  road  to  Cor- 
nelis. The  beat  was  excessive,  and  several  cases  of  coups  de  soleil 
occurred.  On  this  night.  Captain  Dixon  and  Lieutenant 
Blakiston  were  directed  to  ascertain  the  practicability  of  fording 
the  Autchol  river  at  its  mouth.  They  found  the  passage  imprac- 
ticable, and  in  attempting  to  ford  the  river  stuck  so  fast  in  the 
mud  that  they  extricated  themselves  with  difficulty.  Had  it 
not  been  lor  some  fishing  stakes,  by  which  they  were  enabled 
in  some  degree  to  support  themselves,  they  must  have  been 
drowned.  When  they  came  out  they  were  covered  with  black 
mud,  almost  from  head  to  foot. 

On  7th  August,  the  infantry  of  the  advance  crossed  the  Autchol 
river,  at  10  P.M.,  over  a  bridge  of  boats,  rowed  in  after  dark  by 


1811.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS. 


459 


the  naval  officers.  The  troops  could  only  pass  in  single  file. 
By  midnight  all  had  crossed,  and  at  dawn  the  advance  was 
posted  near  the  suburbs,  one  mile  from  the  town. 

The  line  was  moved  forward  to  the  river,  while  the  reserve 
remained  at  Chillingching. 

On  8th  August,  the  town  of  Batavia  was  summoned  by 
Captains  Tylden  and  Dixon,  A.D  C.  to  Commander-in-Chief. 
They  returned  with  the  Mayor  Hillebrink,  who  had  been  deputed 
by  the  burghers  to  crave  our  protection. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  not  having  full  information  as  to 
position  of  the  enemy,  ordered  a  small  party  to  enter  the  town, 
and  feel  their  way  cautiously.  In  the  evening,  Colonel  Gillespie, 
with  the  advance,  entered  the  town.  Captain  Robinson,  Aide- 
de-Camp  to  I^ord  Minto,*  carried  a  summons  to  General 
Janssens  to  surrender  the  island.  He  returned  with  the  reply 
that  General  Janssens  would  defend  his  charge  to  the  last. 

At  II  p,M.,  the  troops  were  silently  called  out,  and  ordered  to 
lie  on  their  arms  in  the  Grand  Square.  Scarcely  had  they 
reached  the  square,  when  the  head  of  the  enemy's  column 
appeared.  Firing  was  heard  in  all  directions,  and  Colonel 
Gillespie  sallied  out  on  the  west  side  of  the  city,  with  the  view  of 
taking  the  enemy  in  flank  ;  this  movement  succeeded,  and  the 
enemy  withdrew.  The  troops  continued  under  arms  all  night,  and 
next  day  some  horse  artillery  and  dragoons  joined  the  garrison. 

On  10th  August,  at  2  a.m.,  an  incendiary  was  taken  in  the 
act  of  firing  wooden  magazines,  containing  powder.  He  was 
hanged  the  next  day. 

On  the  same  day,  the  army  prepared  to  cross  the  Autchol  river  ; 
while  tlie  advance  marched,  under  Colonel  Gillespie,  towards  Wet- 
tervreden,  through  Molenleet — 1,000  Europeans  and  4  50  Natives, 

An  attempt  was  made  to  poison  Colonel  Gillespie  and  his 
Staff.  His  quarters  were  kept  by  a  Frenchman,  who  had  been  a 
menial  servant  of  General  Daendels.     Just  before  starting,  the 

*  Lord  Minto  was  Governor-General  of  India, 


460  MILITARY    HISTORY    OP    THE  Uen. 

officers  had  called  for  coffee,  and  this  man  had  poisoned  it  with 
some  drug.  It  had  such  an  immediate  effect,  that  Colonel 
Gillespie  and  the  whole  of  his  Staff  became  violently  sick. 
The  results  were  not,  however,  serious ;  perhaps  owing  to  the 
free  use  of  the  poisou,  which  at  once  induced  the  vomiting. 

The  fellow  had  a  cup  poured  down  his  own  throat,  though 
very  much  against  his  will.  It  produced  the  same  effect  on  him, 
only  a  little  more  powerful.  The  important  work  the  troops 
were  engaged  in  prevented  a  further  examination  into  this 
abominable  act.     The  man  afterwards  got  off  to  America. 

At  break  of  day  they  arrived  at  Wettervreden,  and  found  it 
abandoned ;  enemy  having  retired  to  their  strong  position  a 
mile  further.  The  enemy's  right  was  protected  by  the  Sloken, 
and  marshy  ground,  and  the  left  by  the  Great  river.  Pepper 
plantations  concealed  their  line.  The  road  to  Cornells  had  been 
blocked  with  abattis,  and  behind  this  the  enemy  had  placed  four 
horse-artillery  guns,  which  opened  fire  Enemy's  infantry 
occupied  villages  and  woods  right  and  left  of  the  high  road, 
and  kept  up  a  smart  fire.  Enemy's  guns  were  answered,  and 
dispositions  made  for  turning  the  enemy's  flanks.  This  object 
was  effected,  the  villages  occupied  by  the  enemy  were  fired, 
and  the  British  troops  charged  the  guns  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet. 

The  action  lasted  two  hours.  Enemy  was  completely  defeated, 
with  loss  of  their  guns,  and  a  large  number  of  killed,  wounded, 
and  prisoners. 

General  Jumel  commanded  the  post ;  General  Janssens,  the 
Commander-in-Chief,  being  at  Struiswyk. 

Colonel  Gillespie,  at  the  head  of  a  squadron  of  22nd  Dragoons, 
pressed  upon  the  fugitives,  who  were  followed  close  to  Cornells. 

This  affair  was  highly  creditable  to  the  troops,  especially  the 
89th,  and  the  grenadier  company  of  78th,  who  charged  the 
guns. 

As  a  consequence  of  this,  the  enemy  shut  themselves  up  in 


1811.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  461 

their  works      Their  loss  was  500  men,   and  four  horse-artillery 
guns. 

In  this  action,  Captain  Smithwaite  commanded  the  Pioneers. 
Extract  from  Colonel  Gillespie's  despatch  : — 
"  I  have    also     to   thank      .  .  and  Captains  Smithwaite    and 
McCraith,  of  the  Madras  Pioneers,  for  their  support  during  the 
affair." 

"I  have   to   return  thanks   to  Captains  Dixon  and  Blakiston 
(Madras  Engineers),  from  whom  I   experienced  every  assistance, 
and  whose  conduct  has  been  most  gallant." 
Our  loss  was  :  — 

Officers  killed  ...  ...  ...  2 

Men  „  ...  ...  ...  16 

Officers  wounded      ...  ...  ...  7 

Men  „  ...  ...  ...  66 

Man  missing  ...  ...  ...  1 

Grand  total  ...  92 

The  following  description  of  enemy's  fortified  position  of 
Cornelis,  is  by  Lieutenant  Blakiston,  of  Engineers: — 

"  It  consisted  of  a  parallelogram,  about  a  mile  and  a  half 
long,  and  800  yards  broad,  lying  between  what  was  called  the 
Great  river,  and  the  Sloken  rivulet,  which  ran  parallel  with  each 
other,  and  were  connected  at  each  end  of  the  position  by  a  deep 
ditch  or  cut.  Behind  each  of  these  cuts,  at  a  short  distance, 
were  regular  intrenchments,  extending  from  river  to  river,  and 
along  the  bank  of  the  Sloken,  as  well  as  at  tlie  two  ends  of  the 
position,  strong  square  redoubts  were  placed  at  regular  distances. 
About  the  middle  of  the  lines  was  a  small  brick  fort,  which 
served  as  a  kind  of  citadel ;  and  outside  the  Sloken,  nearly 
opposite  to  the  centre  of  the  position,  was  an  advanced  redoubt, 
for  the  purpose  of  securing  a  rising  ground,  which  commanded 
a  part  of  the  lines.  This  position  ran  nearly  north  and  south  ; 
and  we  approached  it  from  the  north. 


462  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1811. 

The  position  was  a  most  formidable  one,  both  from  the 
difficulty  of  getting  at  it,  and  from  the  construction  of  the  works 
by  which  it  was  defended." 

"  It  was  determined  to  open  batteries  against  it,  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief not  judging  it  prudent  to  hazard  an  assault  in 
the  present  state  of  things;  and  the  engineers  were  directed  to 
prepare  the  necessary  materials  with  the  utmost  despatch,  while 
the  Ordnance  Department  were  employed  in  landing  the  batter- 
ing train  and  stores  required  for  siege." 

"  On  the  14th  August,  we  broke  ground  opposite  to  the  north 
end  of  the  enemy's  position,  where  a  small  drain,  in  rear  of  our 
picquets,  was  turned  into  a  parallel. 

"During  the  15th  and  16  th,  our  working  parties  completed  the 
parallel,  and  opened  a  trench  to  the  rear.  They  were  also 
employed  in  making  a  road  through  the  pepper-grounds,  from 
the  position  occupied  by  our  advance^  so  that  guns,  ammu- 
nition, &c.  might  be  transported  unperceived  by  the  enemy. 

"  On  the  18th,  a  trench  was  opened  from  the  parallel,  to  com- 
municate with  the  spot  intended  for  our  principal  battery ;  and 
on  the  19th,  the  parallel  was  extended  to  left  of  high  road,  in 
order  to  cover  the  troops  intended  to  protect  our  left  flank.  A 
bridge  was  also  thrown  across  the  Great  river,  near  our  advanced 
position,  and  a  post  established  on  opposite  bank.  At  night  we 
were  threatened  with  an  inundation  of  our  trenches,  which  proved 
of  no  consequence. 

"  The  enemy  had  attempted  to  fill  the  ditch  in  front  of  their 
lines  connecting  the  Sloken  and  Great  river,  and  the  surplus 
water  had  found  its  way  into  our  trenches.  It  filled  our  left 
parallel  before  we  could  stop  it ;  but  a  dam  was  soon  made, 
which  prevented  its  further  progress." 

"  On  the  20th,  just  after  sunset,  we  began  the  erection  of 
three  batteries — one  for  twelve  18-pounders,  a  second  for  eight 
18-pounders,  and  the  last  for  four  mortars  and  three  howitzers. 
We  failed  to  complete  them  before  day  break.     These  batteries 


1811.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  463 

were  600  yards  from  the  enemy's  works.  No.  1  battery  was 
intended  to  play  on  left  of  intrenchments,  and  one  redoubt  that 
overlooked  them.  No  2,  on  left  of  No.  1,  was  intended  to  play 
into  their  works  ;  and  No.  3  was  still  further  to  the  left,  aud 
east  of  the  road." 

"The  batteries  were  completed  on  night  of  the  yist.  The 
guns  were  brought  up  by  the  sailors,  and  mounted  early  in  the 
morning  of  the  22nd,  when  the  enemy  made  a  sortie." 

"  A  body  of  their  troops  was  concealed  in  the  low  jungle  in 
front,  and  a  strong  column  was  sent  to  turn  our  left.  The  right 
column  lost  its  way  in  the  dark,  and  their  left,  getting  impatient, 
rushed  to  the  attack.  They  gained  momentary  possession  of 
one  battery,  but  were  immediately  driven  back  by  59th,  and 
78th  ;  while  the  other  column,  marching  all  night,  found  them- 
selves at  day-break  near  the  place  from  which  they  had  set  out. 
But  not  to  be  disappointed,  they  attacked  in  front.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Clarges,  of  69th,  advanced  against  them,  and  they 
shortly  retired,  but  not  before  they  had  mortally  wounded 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Clarges.  The  enemy  being  foiled  in  their 
attacks,  opened  a  tremendous  fire  from  their  redoubts  with  about 
forty  pieces,  24-  and  32-pounders.  Six  of  our  officers  were 
killed,  and  four  wounded,  besides  sixty-seven  Europeans  and 
twenty-nine  Natives  killed  and  wounded.  Amongst  the  officers 
were 

Lieutenant  Shepherd,  Madras  Pioneers,  killed 

Ensign  McLeod,  „  ,,  mortally  wounded. 

"  On  the  23rd,  the  enemy  were  busily  engaged  in  making 
parapets  and  erecting  other  batteries.  At  8  on  morning  of 
24th  our  batteries  opened  fire,  and  a  severe  cannonade  continued 
nearly  all  day.  Their  nearest  redoubt  was  repeatedly  silenced, 
and  before  the  close  of  the  day  most  of  their  batteries  were 
damaged,  and  many  guns  dismounted.  The  enemy's  fire 
enfiladed  the  avenue  from  Struiswyk.  A  new  pathway  was 
therefore  cut  through  the  betel  plantations,  but  their  Hie  being 


464  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1811. 

directed  on  this  also,  obliged  us  to  move  along  the  winding 
banks  of  the  Great  river." 

On  the  24th,  we  had  one  officer  killed  and  three  wounded. 
Among  the  latter  Captain  Smith,  Bengal  Engineers,  and 
Ensign  Duncan  Sim,  Madras  Engineers.  The  two  others  were 
Artillery  officers  — Lieutenant  Pax  ton  killed,  Captain  Richards 
wounded.  Sim,  from  this  wound,  lost  the  forefinger  of  his  right 
hand. 

"  The  enemy  strengthened  their  position  daily.  Repeated 
efforts  were  made  to  reconnoitre,  but  the  nature  of  their  position 
rendered  this  extremely  difficult." 

"  A  front  attack  was  considered  unadvisable,  and  a  project  for 
turning  the  enemy's  left  by  a  path  round  the  intrenchments  by 
the  Great  river  was  given  in  ;  but  it  was  found  that  only  one  file 
could  go  abreast,  and  to  attack  13,000  men,  strongly  intrenched, 
by  so  narrow  an  aperture,  appeared  highly  imprudent." 

"  This  plan  of  attack  was  combined  by  Commander-in-Chief 
with  other  movements.  It  was  supposed  their  rear  was  well 
secured  (and  in  fact  it  turned  out  the  strongest  side).'" 

"Assault  on  left  flank  was  objectionable,  owing  to  the  Great 
river,  which  was  unfordable  with  steep  high  banks.  Their 
right  flank  was  unquestionably  the  weakest.  A  deserter  from 
the  enemy  described  the  redoubt  on  the  right,  the  bridge  by 
which  it  was  connected  with  the  works,  and  its  defences  " 

The  26th  August  was  the  day  on  which  the  formidable  lines 
of  Cornelis  were  stormed.  Colonel  Gillespie  commanded  the 
principal  attack,  on  enemy's  right  flank.  Lieutenant  Blakiston 
accompanied  this  force,  and  Captain  Smithwaite  commanded  the 
Madras  Pioneers. 

Lieutenants  Garrard,  Proby,  Coventry,  and  Anderson,  were 
the  other  engineers  employed  in  the  assault  of  Cornelis 

"  Colonel  Gillespie's  command  consisted  of  the  whole  of  the 
advance  and  flank  companies  of  the  Line,  supported  by  Colonel 
Gibbs  with  H.M.'s  5t)th  and  4th  Bengal  Volunteers," 


laai  MADEAS   ENGINEERS.  465 

"  Rifle  company  of  H.M.'s  14th  led,  followed  by  detachment 
of  Pioneers  under  Captain  Smithwaite." 

"This  column  was  to  proceed  by  a  road  to  the  east  side  of 
enemy's  position,  to  attack  the  redoubt  east  of  the  Sloken,  and, 
having  taken  it,  to  push  for  the  bridge  leading  to  centre  of 
enemy's  position,  and  endeavour  to  cross  it,  and  having  done 
80,  to  assault  the  other  redoubts  as  Colonel  Gillespie  might 
deem  best." 

"The  second  column  under  Colonel  McLeod,  six  companies  of 
69th  and  6th  Bengal  Volunteers,  to  follow  the  course  of  Great 
river,  and  try  to  force  enemy's  intrenchments  close  to  the  river  " 

"  The  third  column,  commanded  by  (Jolonel  Wood,  78th  Regi- 
ment, and  5th  Bengal  Volunteers,  to  advance  along  left  bank  of 
Sloken,  and  penetrate  the  lines  by  crossing  the  ditch  at  its 
junction  with  the  rivulet." 

"  Fourth  column,  headed  by  a  detachment  of  Pioneers  under 
Major  Yule,  was  to  advance  from  Pala-Ambang  to  attack  post 
at  Campong  Malayo,  and,  if  possible,  to  enter  works  by  bridge 
which  crossed  the  Great  river  at  this  point." 

"  Remainder  of  force  formed  in  the  trenches  to  act  as  a  reserve 
under  Major- General  Wetherall." 

"The  divisions  under  Gillespie  and  Yule  moved  oflF  about 
midnight." 

"  Colonel  Gillespie's  column  crossed  the  Sloken  by  a  bridge 
close  to  our  advanced  post." 

"  From  this  bridge  he  had  a  considerable  detour  to  make  before 
he  could  gain  the  road  by  which  he  was  to  advance.  This, 
together  with  darkness  of  the  night,  and  difficulties  in  crossing 
the  country,  caused  considerable  delay."  Lieutenant  Blakiston 
accompanied  this  column,  and  Proby,  Coventry,  and  Anderson 
accompanied  the  others. 

"  On  approaching  enemy's  lines  the  road  was  found  to  be  cut 
through  in  several  places.  The  column  advanced  with  the 
utmost  regularitv,    and    in    perfect    silence.       On    the    enemy's 

30 


466  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1811 

advanced  sentry  seeing  us,  he  challenged,  and  was  answered 
'  Patrols '  ;  and  he,  without  giving  any  alarm,  permitted  us  to 
advance  close  up  to  the  picquet,  which  we  found  drawn  up. 
Colonel  Gillespie  charged  at  once." 

"  The  picquet  made  but  little  opposition  to  this  onslaught, 
and  fled.  Our  column  advanced  in  good  order,  and  in  about 
a  minute  we  were  in  possession  of  the  advanced  redoubt." 

"  Besides  the  troops  in  the  redoubt,  there  was  a  large  body 
drawn  up  outside  the  Sloken,  with  their  left  resting  on  redoubt. 
This  party  was  attacked,  and  driven  across  the  rivulet.  Colonel 
Gillespie  pushed  on  rapidly  with  the  head  of  the  column,  and 
crossed  the  bridge  under  a  tremendous  fire  of  musketry,  and 
grape.  Colonel  Gillespie  then  directed  his  attention  to  the 
nearest  redoubt  on  his  left,  after  crossing  the  Sloken,  from 
which  a  galling  fire  was  kept  up  on  oiiv  troops." 

"This  was  attacked  in  the  same  gallant  manner,  but  the 
resistance  was  greater,  and  its  capture  cost  us  many  lives. 
Colonel  Gillespie  now  resolved  to  attack  the  redoubt  on  our 
right,  after  crossing  the  Sloken ;  but  finding  resistance  greater, 
and  that,  owing  to  the  rapidity  of  his  advance,  only  a  small 
part  of  the  column  had  been  able  to  keep  up  with  him,  he 
determined  to  wait  the  arrival  of  fresh  toops. 

"  In  a  few  minutes  Colonel  Gibbs  arrived,  and  we  were 
soon  in  possession  of  the  redoubt." 

"  While  the  gallant  assailants  were  congratulating  one 
another  on  the  success  of  the  attack,  the  magazine*  of  the 
redoubt  blew  up.  The  explosion  was  dreadful.  Out  of  100 
officers  and  men  who  were  present,  scarcely  any  escaped 
unhurt.  Colonel  Gibbs  and  Lieutenant  Blakiston  were  both 
thrown  into  the  air  by  the  shock,  but  escaped  unhurt.  They 
owed  their  escape  to  standing  on  a  platform  at  the  time  which 


•  The  magazine  ■was  fired  by  two  captains  in  the  French  service,  named  Muller 
and  Oeman, 


18U.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  467 

was    raised    bodily  up,  and  protected   them  from  the   force  of 
the  powder." 

"  As  soon  as  the  firing  of  Colonel  Gillespie's  Division 
commenced,  the  other  columns  advanced.  Colonel  McLeod, 
after  meeting  with  considerable  resistance,  succeeded  in  passing 
the  ditch  close  to  the  Great  river,  and  carried  the  nearest 
redoubt  in  the  most  gallant  manner,  just  as  the  other  redoubt 
blew  up.     Here  Colonel  McLeod  was  killed. 

"  The  column  under  Colonel  Wood  had  not  the  same  success 
as  that  under  Colonel  McLeod,  owing  to  the  difficulty  in  forcing 
a  passage  across  the  ditch.  A  part,  however,  got  over,  and 
drove  the  enemy  from  the  intrenchmeuts  in  front  of  the 
redoubt  that  was  blown  up.  Colonel  Campbell,  of  78th,  fell 
here.  The  column  under  Major  Yule  reached  Campong 
Malayo  just  in  time  to  commence  its  attack,  as  soon  as  the 
firing  commenced  with  Colonel  Gillespie.  Major  Yule  dislodged 
the  enemy  from  the  left  bank  of  the  river,  but  they  were 
enabled  to  set  fire  to  the  bridge,  for  which  they  had  combustibles 
ready. 

*'  The  enemy  having  thus  been  driven  from  their  advanced 
redoubt,  formed  up  near  the  fort  of  Cornells,  supported  by  field- 
pieces, 

"  In  this  position  they  resisted  for  some  time.  But  the 
advance  of  fresh  troops  compelled  them  to  give  way,  when  they 
abandoned  all  their  remaining  works,  and  commenced  their 
retreat  to  Buitzenzong. 

"  At  Campong  Macassar  the  flying  foe  rallied,  and  attempted 
to  make  a  stand  behind  broken-down  carts,  &c.,  supported  by 
four  horse-artillery  guns,  but  ihe  cavalry  charged,  and  bore 
down  everything. 

"  Meantime  a  passage  was  made  across  the  ditch,  and  the 
cavalry  crossed  and  joined  the  pursuit.  About  a  mile  from  the 
lines  they  came  up  with  the  rear  of  the  enemy's  column,  which 
they  attacked  and  dispersed.     Following  up  their  success,  they 

30  ♦ 


468 


MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE 


[1811. 


cut  their  way  to  the  head  of  the  column,  making  prisoners  of 
nearly  the  whole  of  the  enemy's  army  A.  few  got  off  hy 
swimming  across  the  Sloken,  among  them,  General  Janssens, 
and  his  second  in  command." 

"  Thus  was  effected  almost  tl;  ■  total  annihilation  of  the 
enemy's  army,  10,000  strong;  of  this  number,  1,500  were 
killed,  and  G,000  wounded  or  taken  prisoners,  besides  the 
whole  of  their  sick  found  in  their  hospital  at  Tangong  West. 
Among  the  prisoners  were  400  officers  and  1,000  Europeans — 
most  of  whom  had  lately  arrived." 

The  pursuit  was  continued  half-way  to  Buitzenzong  (thirty- 
five  miles  from  Batavia). 

Our  loss  was  heavy.     In  the  two  columns  of  principal  attack, 
more  than  500  men  killed  and   wor.i  aed,  and  of    these   forty 
eight  were  officers. 

Our  total  loss  was : — 


European  Military  Officers 
Naval  Officers  ... 
Marine  Officers 
Native  Officers... 


Europeans,  Military 

Seamen 

Marines 

Natives 


Missing — Europeans,  10;  Native,  1. 
Grand  total  killed  and  wounded 


Killed. 

Wounded. 

11 

44 

— 

4 

— 

2 

2 

4 

13 

54  —  67 

65 

...     326 

14 

29 

4 

...        20 

J8 

...        89 

101 

464—565 

J,  1. 

11 

643 


General  Janssens  fled  to  Buitzenzong.     On  the  following  day, 
finding  that  only  a  few  horse  had  joined  him,  he  proceeded  to 


v^ 


PLAN    OF    ATTACK 

ON     THE     FOETIFIED     LINES     OP 

C  O  R  N  E  L  I S, 

TAKEN  BY  ASSAULT  BY  THE   BKITISH  AEMT  UNDER  THE   OEDEES  OF 

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL   SIR   SAMUEL  AUCHMUTV, 

COMMANDEE-m-CHrEP,  eic. 
AUaUBT  S6,  1811. 


EEFEEENCES. 


Leading  Coluirtn : 

1.  Rifle  Company,  H.M.  14th  Regt.,  Lieut.  Coglan. 

2.  Detachmont  Madras  Pioneers,  Capt.  Smytliwayto. 

3.  Grenadier  Conipv..  II.SI.  78th  Eegt.,  Capt.  McLeod. 
i.  Eicht  Flniili  Ilattnliou.  Major  Miller,  Uth  Eogt. 

6.  Left  Flauk  Battalion.  Captain  Forbes,  78th  Eegt. 

6.  Detachmt.  n.M.  (i'.Ptli  Eeijt.  (5  oomp8.),Mai.Butlor. 

7.  Royal  Marincn,  Captain  Bunco. 

8.  Dolachmt.  Dismtd.  Drgns.,  22nd  Eegt.,  Lt.  Dudley. 
8.       Do.        Gov.-General'B  Body  Guard,  Capt.  Gall. 

10.  One  Wing  Light  Inty.  Vol.  Buttu.,  Capt.  Fraser. 

11.  Do.       4th  Bengal,         do.         Maj.  P.  Grant. 
13.  Detachment  Royal  Artillery,  Capt.  Byers. 

Cotond  Gillt'i  Brigade  ; 
13.  Grenadier  Compy.,  H.M.  1 1th  Eegt.,  Capt.  Kennedy. 
"■  5°.  6',lth  Regt.,  Capt.  Olphort. 

1=   n  «  ■„  t  2°-  "'■'"'  Bef-  Capt.  RoBB. 

;;■  S'''^?"'  ?«(!»•.  Liout.-Ool.  Alexander  McLeod. 
17.  One  Wmg  Light  Inly.  Vol.  Battn.,  Major  Dalton. 
la  n  .";.  *"■  Bengal,  do.  Capt.  Knight. 
19.  Detachment  Royal  Artillery. 

B.  Attack  on  the  Enemy's  Lett,  commanded  by  Lieut.-Col. 

Wm.  HcLood,  at  the  head  o(  H.M.  69th  Regt. 

C.  Attack  on  tj..  Enemy's  Rear,  at  Campong  Molayo,  by 

the  Column  under  Major  Yule. 

C0KSI8TI»a 

Detachment  Pioneers 

?"o  £'!?";  K'?!"'™*  Bengal  Native  Intautrj-. 

tm,  Onns  Madras  Uorso  ArtUlery.  ' 

A  Troop  ol  H.M.  22nd  Dragoons 

VU,  k  ifF.")'™  ^-^^  "»">  Kegimenl. 


WetlieraU,  joined  by  a  column  of  Seamen  imdet 
Captain  Sayer,  B.N.,  threatened  the  Frout  of  the 
Enemy's  Position. 

1.  Corps  in  Reaerve,  occupying  the  Lines  at  Struiswick. 
The  fortified  lines  of  Cornells  compriae  about  five 
miles  in  cireumference,  defended  by  280  pieces  of 
cannon.  The  French  Army  concentrated  within  the 
works  amounted  to  above  13,000  regular  troops,  com- 
manded by  General  Jansens,  Governor-General. 

.  The  Front  Face  of  the  Enemy's  Position  was  commanded 
by  Brigadier-General  Jauffret,  under  the  general 
direction  of  General  Jumel,  Commander-in-Chief. 
Brigadier-General  Gaupp  commanded  the  face  of  the 
Slokkan,  Colonel  L'Ecrevisse  the  side  of  the  Great 
River ;  his  chief  post  was  No.  7  Redoubt.  The  post 
of  Campong  Malayo  was  under  Major  Scbultz  of  the 
Engineers,  with  orders  to  set  the  bridge  on  lire  the 
instant  the  British  column  appeared,  which  prevented 
Major  Yule  from  penetrating  by  that  route.  A 
cavalry  picquet  was  posted  at  the  junction  of  the 
roads  behind  Campong  Malayo,  with  two  pieces  of 


Scbultz. 
'.  The  Reserve,  under  Brigadier-General  Lutzow,  formed 

up  in  rear  of  the  park  guns,  covered  by 
.  The  small  Fort  of  Comelis,  and 
f.  The  Barracks  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  road. 
.  Pour  Horse  Artillery  guns,  directly  facing  the   Little 

Bridge  over  the  Slokkan. 
.  Enemy's  Cavalry  threatening  to  charge. 
.  Powder  Magazdne. 
1  h  h.  Barracks. 
i  i.  Numerous  Batteries. 
t.  Deep  Cuta  across  the  roads. 
t  m.  Trous  de  loup  and  Chausse  trapes. 


r\ 


1811.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  469 

the   east,   accompanied    by    General    Jumel,   while    our    troops 
under  Colonel  Gibbs  reached  Buitzeuzong  the  day  after. 

The  carnage  among  the  enemy  was  very  great,  6,000 
prisoners  fell  into  our  hands,  and  included  two  General 
Officers,  the  Chief  Engineer,  the  heads  of  all  departments, 
besides  250  other  officers.  280  pieces  of  ordnance  (mostly  fine 
brass  cannon)  were  captured  in  Cornelis,  and  several  stauds  of 
colours.  Only  a  small  party  of  horse,  under  Major  Le  Blanc, 
succeeded  in  getting  off,  with  Generals  Janssens  and  Jumel. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  "  thought  it  particularly  incumbent 
on  him  to  mark  his  fullest  approbation  of  the  active  energy 
and  gallantry  of  Captain  Dixon  and  Lieutenant  Biakiston, 
his  aides-de-camp,  whom  he  had  permitted  to  act  with  Colonel 
Gillespie  on  the  morning  of  the  attack." 

"  The  splendour  of  this  action  was  obscured  by  the  distance 
of  the  scene,  and  the  pressing  interest  excited  by  nearer 
achievements*;  but  a  harder-fought  or  more  sanguinary  combat 
is  not  to  be  found  in  modem  times." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  Lord  Minto's  letter  to  the 
Secretary  of  State  : — 

"  For  this  signal,  and  as  your  Lordship  will  collect  from  the 
enclosed  documents,  this  most  splendid  and  illustrious  service, 
Great  Britain  is  indebted  to  the  truly  British  intrepidity  of  as 
brave  an  army  as  ever  did  honour  to  our  country  ;  to  the  pro- 
fessional skill  and  spirit  of  their  officers ;  and  to  the  wisdom, 
decision,  and  firmness  of  the  eminent  man  who  directed  their 
courage,  and  led  them  to  victory." 

The  French  army  (from  official  papers  found  at  Cornells) 
could  not  have  been  less  than  13,000  men  on  2Gth  August, 
while  the  British  troops  only  numbered  8,000,  and  the  number 
of  combatants  actually  engaged  was  much  less. 

Sir  Samuel  Auchmuty  now  despatched  by  sea  a  detachment  to 

•  Peninsula  War 


470  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


[1811. 


Cheribon,   which  place  surrendered.     General  Jumel  was  here 
taken  prisoner. 

The  enemy's  remaining  force,  chiefly  cavalry,  fifty  officers, 
200  Europeans  and  500  natives,  who  had  followed  General 
Janssens,  finding  themselves  cut  off  by  our  occupation  of 
Cheribon,  surrendered,  and  returned  to  Buitzenzong  as  prisoners 
of  war. 

Carang  Sambong,  twenty  miles  west  of  Cheribon,  was  occupied 
by  seamen  and  marines  under  Captain  Welchman,  R.M. 

The  fort  of  Taggal,  forty  miles  east  of  Cheribon,  between 
Cheribon  and  Samarang,  surrendered  to  Captain  Hillyer  of 
the  Phcebe. 

An  attack  on  Samanap  in  the  island  of  Madura  was  made 
after  the  capture  of  Batavia,  and  crowned  with  complete  success. 
A  force,  under  command  of  Sir  S.  Auchmuty,  was  prepared  to 
follow  Janssens. 

The  General  left  Batavia  on  5th  September,  while  the  troops 
went  to  Zedayo,  the  appointed  rendezvous. 

The  General  found  at  Cheribon  that  Janssens  had  gone  to 
Samarang  with  intent  of  making  a  stand  there,  and  eventually 
retiring  on  Solo.  Orders  were  accordingly  given  to  repair  to 
Samarang.      The  Commander-in-Chief  went  in  the  Modeste.* 

On  10th  September,  General  Auchmuty,  and  Admiral  Stopford 
addressed  a  letter  to  Janssens,  requesting  him  to  treat  for 
surrender.     He  refused. 

On  the  12th,  preparations  were  made  to  land.  It  was  found 
that  the  town  was  evacuated,  and  Colonel  Gibbs  took  quiet 
possession.  At  2  a.m.,  on  morning  of  the  16th,  the  force  under 
Colonel  Gibbs  moved  from  Samarang,  and  after  a  march  of  six 
miles  found  the  enemy's  forces  at  Jattoo,  posted  on  some  very 
high  and  rugged  hills.  The  high  road  to  Solo  intersected  their 
line.     The  road  being  closed  by  chevaux-de-frise,  and  the  flanks 

*  Lieutenant  Blakiston  accompanied  the  Chief,  and  was  at  this  time  attacked 
■with  dysenterj 


1811.]  MADKAS    ENGINEERS.  471 

protected  by  difficulty  of  the  ground,  it  could  not  be  turned,  while 
thirty  pieces  of  cannon  covered  the  front.  A  detachment  was 
sent  to  occupy  a  hill  on  left  of  enemy's  line,  and  the  remaining 
guns  were  directed  to  throw  shot  across  the  valley  into  enemy's 
position.  As  soon  as  these  pieces  opened,  the  advance  with 
Colonel  Gibbs  rushed  across  the  valley,  and  up  to  the  great  road 
nearly  to  the  top  of  the  hill. 

The  English  force  consisted  of  1,600  men. 

110  Artillery. 

180  Lascars. 

200  Pioneers. 

630   14th  Kegiment. 

420  78th  Regiment. 
60  Grenadiers,  3rd  Vol.  Battalion. 
6  Field-pieces. 

Enemy  had  8,200  men,  and  eight  field-pieces. 

There  were,  however,  very  few  regular  troops,  and  the  position 
was  chiefly  occupied  by  the  troops  of  their  ally  the  King  of  Solo, 
whose  capital  was  some  distance  inland. 

The  advance  of  the  English  having  crossed  the  valley,  halted, 
and  waited  for  the  line. 

With  the  loss  of  two  men  the  line  crossed  the  valley,  and  the 
whole  advanced.  The  enemy  then  retreated  in  all  directions, 
leaving  most  of  their  guns  behind  them. 

"  The  King  of  Solo's  troops  showed  so  little  disposition  to 
fight,  that  a  large  body  of  his  cavalry,  who  made  a  very  formid- 
able appearance  with  their  large  cocked  hats  and  spears,  were 
actually  brought  to  bay  by  Captain  Dixon  alone,  and  after- 
wards pursued  by  Captain  Dixon  and  Lieutenant  Blakiston  for 
some  miles  without  attempting  to  turn  on  them." 

"  This  body  made  its  appearance  rather  suddenly  in  front  after 
the  hill  had  been  carried,  and  Lieutenant  Blakiston  was  sent  by 
Commander-in-Chief  to  desire  our  Light  Infantry  to  open  fire 
on  them." 


472  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1811 

On  his  communicating  the  order  to  a  sergeant  whom  Blakiston 
met,  he  said  he  could  not,  "  for  there  was  the  aide-de-camp  a 
licking  of  them  " 

"  Our  troops  followed  the  enemy  for  ten  miles,  passing  several 
intrenchments  on  the  road,  which  had  been  abandoned.  We 
reached  the  small  fort  of  Oonarang,  twelve  miles  from  Sama- 
rang.     Enemy  evacaated  it  and  disbanded." 

Here  our  troops  halted  for  the  day.  General  Janssens  fled 
to  Salatiga  ;  but  finding  himself  abandoned  by  his  men,  early  on 
the  following  morning  he  sent  a  flag  of  truce  to  treat  for  sur- 
render of  the  island.  The  Commander-in-Chief  would  hear  of 
nothing  but  an  unconditional  surrender,  and  a  cessation  for 
twenty-four  hours  was  agreed  on.  Treaty  was  to  embrace  all 
dependencies  of  Java  All  military  to  be  prisoners  of  war. 
Public  debt  to  be  guaranteed.  General  Janssens  strongly 
objected,  and  asked  for  an  interview.  Sir  Samuel  Auchmuty 
refused,  and  insisted  on  the  treaty ;  and  to  enforce  it  advanced 
on  Salatiga,  but  received  a  ratified  copy  of  the  capitulation.  The 
General  forwarded  an  express  to  the  Admiral  to  prevent  an 
assault  on  Fort  Ludowyk. 

The  Admiral,  however,  arrived  at  Zedayo  on  the  ]7th,  and 
next  day  he  directed  Major  Farquhar  (Madras  Engineers),  the 
senior  oflBcer,  to  land  the  troops,  500  men,  half  Europeans, 
with  some  artillery.  The  troops  landed  on  19th,  and  occupied 
Gressie  ;  and  on  the  2'-ind,  Sourabaya  surrendered.  'I  he  Admiral 
reconnoitred  Fort  Ludowyk,  but  found  it  too  stong  for  a  coup-de- 
main.  A  site  was  selected  for  a  battery  ;  but  as  the  nearest 
point  of  land  was  1,500  yards,  there  appeared  no  chance  of  a 
quick  reduction.  On  hearing  of  the  capitulation  of  Oonarang, 
we  were  put  in  possession  of  Fort  Ludowyk 

Lieutenant  Garrard  was  with  this  force  He  received  the 
personal  thanks  of  Sir  Samuel  Auchmuty,  and  on  his  return  to 
Madras  was  appointed,  at  the  request  of  Sir  Samuel,  Superin- 
tending Engineer  to  the  Mysore  Division. 


1811-12.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  473 

Sir  Samuel  Auchmuty,  as  soon  as  the  treaty  was  ratified,  set 
sail  for  Batavia,  in  order  that  he  might  prepare  for  returning  to 
Madras.  Blakiston  accompanied  the  General.  Farquhar 
returned  to  his  post  at  Malacca  ;  while  the  other  Engineer 
oflBcers,  with  the  exception  of  Lieutenant- Colonel  Mackenzie, 
went  to  Madras. 

When  the  Dutch  had  despoiled  the  Sovereign  of  Jacatra,  they 
turned  their  attention  to  the  Soosoohoon.  The  Dutch  flattered 
him  with  assurances  of  assistance  against  one  of  his  own  family, 
who  had  been  instigated  by  the  Dutch  to  rebellion.  When  it 
was  found  that  owing  to  the  reception  of  tlie  insidious  advice  of 
the  Dutch,  he  had  become  completely  entangled,  the  Dutch 
made  an  open  avowal  of  their  alliance  with  the  rebellious  chief. 
The  Sovereign  of  Soosoohoon  was  allowed  to  retain  a  large  part 
of  his  territory,  with  the  old  capital  of  Solo  or  Souracarta. 

The  Dutch  took  the  whole  of  the  north  coast,  while  the 
remainder  was  made  into  a  separate  kingdom  for  the  rebel 
chief. 

He,  however,  hated  the  Dutch,  and  manifested  his  hatred  of 
the  very  power  which  had  elevated  him.  General  Daendels  had 
sent  an  expedition  against  him,  which  caused  a  compromise. 
The  invasion  by  the  English,  he  thought,  a  good  opportunity 
for  him.  Having  matured  his  arrangements,  he  wished  to  effect 
our  destruction,  as  well  as  that  of  the  whole  colony  of  European 
settlers.  It  was  therefore  resolved  to  move  a  military  force  on 
Djoejocarta. 

OnlTth  June  1812,  the  Lieutenant-Governor  and  Commander- 
in-Chief  of  the  forces*  arrived  at  Djoejocarta.  The  Sultan  sent 
out  strong  bodies  of  horse  to  intercept  the  communications,  by 
destroying  bridges  in  our  rear,  and  laying  waste  the  country. 
Colonel  Gillespie  went  out  with  fifty  dragoons  to  reconnoitre, 
and  fell  in  with  a  large  body  of  enemy's  force.     He  tried  to 

•  Colonel  GilloBpie. 


474  MILITARY    HISTORY   OF    THE  [1812. 

induce  them  to  return  to  the  "  Crattan  "*;  they  consented  at 
first,  but  on  a  sudden  in  the  dark,  they  threw  their  spears  at  our 
men,  and  wounded  one  sergeant  and  four  men.  The  dragoons 
cut  their  way  through  them,  with  the  loss  of  one  killed  and 
one  wounded. 

Our  troops  were — 

Part  of  14th  Foot. 

„         Bengal  Light  Infantry. 
3rd  Volunteer  Battalion. 
Some  Artillery, 
Two  troops  22nd  Dragoons. 

Theremainder  of  the  force,  under  Lieutenant- Colonel  McLeod, 
was  expected  during  the  night. 

The  Dutch  had  been  in  the  habit  of  erecting  forts  close  to  the 
capitals  of  the  chiefs. 

We  had  possession  of  the  one  near  Djoejocarta. 

A  messenger  having  been  sent  to  treat,  was  dismissed  by  the 
Sultan,  and  fire  was  instantly  opened  from  our  fort,  and  returned 
from  the  "  Crattan." 

The  "  Crattan  "  of  the  Sultan  of  Mataram  was  three  miles  in 
circumference,  surrounded  by  a  broad,  wet  ditch,  with  draw- 
bridges, and  a  strong  high  rampart,  with  the  bastions  defended 
by  100  guns.  The  interior  was  full  of  numerous  squares  and 
courtyards.  Principal  entrance  had  a  double  row  of  cannon 
facing  it,  and  flanked  right  and  left  by  new  batteries.  Seventeen 
thousand  troops  manned  the  works,  while  round  them  was  a 
population  of  more  than  100,000. 

The  fort  built  by  the  Dutch  was  800  yards  from  the  walls  of 
the"  Crattan,"  ill  calculated  for  anything  but  a  depot  for  military 
stores.  Our  powder  (Dutch)  was  bad,  and  the  firing  was  only  in- 
tended tooccupy  the  enemy  while  our  troops  were  concentrating. 

One  of  the  enemy's  depots  of  powder  blew  up  ;  as  also  one  of 
ours.     This  latter  explosion  was  the  cause  of  several  officers  and 

*  Fortified  residence  of  the  Court 


1818.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  475 

artillerymen  being  burnt — Lieutenants  Young  and  Hunter,  of 
the  Army,  and  Captain  Teesdale,  R.N.  Light  parties  were 
detached  to  scour  the  "  campongs,"  *  and  prevent  the  enemy 
getting  in  our  rear  to  harass  the  detachment  under  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  McLeod,  marchiug  from  Salatiga. 

In  the  evening,  the  Sultan  demanded  our  surrender,  imagin- 
ing himself  already  victorious  from  the  overwhelming  superiority 
of  his  force  in  point  of  numbers. 

Major  Daltou,  with  a  part  of  his  battalion  of  Bengal  Light 
Infantry,  who  occupied  the  Dutch  town  between  our  fort  and  the 
"  Crattan,"  was  spiritedly  attacked,  during  the  night,  four  times, 
but  repulsed  the  enemy.  On  the  high  road  by  which  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  McLeod  was  advancing,  numerous  parties  were  employed 
in  breaking  down  bridges,  &c. 

Frequent  skirmishes  occurred  between  our  dragoons  and  the 
enemy,  in  which  encounters  some  astonishing  feats  of  gallantry 
were  exhibited  by  our  men.  Late  in  the  evening  some  dragoons 
under  Lieutenant  Hall,  of  22nd,  were  sent  out  to  force  their  way 
to  Colonel  McLeod.  The  country  was  so  thickly  beset  with  the 
enemy,  that  it  was  almost  impossible  to  send  a  report  or  order 
by  a  messenger  on  foot.  Colonel  McLeod  offered  a  reward  to 
any  man  who  would  volunteer  to  carry  an  order  to  Captain  Byres, 
who  was  commanding  a  detachment  of  Hoyal  Artillery  a  day's 
march  in  the  rear.  John  O'Brien,  a  private  in  Madras  Horse 
Artillery,  immediately  undertook  this  dangerous  service.  He 
galloped  through  the  enemy,  delivered  his  orders,  and  hastened 
back  without  being  touched. 

Colonel  Gillespie  rewarded  this  brave  man  with  the  public 
expression  of  his  thanks,  and  gave  him  a  gold  medal  for  his 
gallantry. 

The  party  of  dragoons  were  attacked  by  a  numerous  body  of 
the  enemy,   who  fired  from   behind  walls ;  while  crowds  drawn 

*  Suburbs  with  walled  enclosureB 


476  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1812. 

up  across  the  road  presented  a  formidable  array  of  spears.  Our 
men  cut  their  way  through,  maintaining  a  running  fight  all  the 
way,  till  they  succeeded  in  joining  the  detachment.  Lieutenant 
Hall  was  wounded,  and  narrowly  escaped  being  speared  on  the 
ground.  Six  men  were  killed,  and  found  next  day  barbarously 
mangled. 

On  morning  of  I'Jth  June,  Lieutenant-Colonel  McLeod 
reached  head-quarters  with  a  detachment  Royal  Artillery,  Gre- 
nadiers 59th,  flank  and  rifle  companies  78th,  some  hussars, 
and  a  detachment  of  Madras  Horse  Artillery.  After  their  long 
and  harassing  marches,  some  repose  was  necessary.  The  can- 
nonade was  continued.  Enemy  posted  behind  the  walls  outside 
the  "  Crattan,"  were  burnt  out  and  dislodged.  In  the  evening 
all  the  troops  were  ordered  to  the  fort.  The  Sultan  thought  from 
this  that  we  were  afraid  of  him.  The  cannonade  was  continued 
all  night  till  3  a.m.  20th  June.  The  fate  of  the  whole  colony 
depended  on  the  event. 

Two  hours  before  dawn,  the  leaders  of  columns  received  their 
orders,  and  proceeded  to  carry  them  out.  A  column  under 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Dewar,  with  a  part  of  Bengal  Light  Infantry, 
3rd  Volunteer  Battalion,  with  Prince  Trangwedona's  corps, 
proceeded  at  4  am.  by  a  circuitous  route  to  south  of  the 
"  Crattan,"  to  force  the  south  gate  ;  while  an  attack  was  made 
on  north  gate,  at  the  principal  entrance,  under  Major  Grant. 
Column  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Watson,  with  part  of  14th, 
some  Bengal  Light  Infantry,  grenadiers  of  59th,  and  two  com- 
panies of  78th,  composed  the  main  attack.  It  moved  round 
north-east  bastion  undiscovered-  The  head  of  column  had  just 
reached  the  point  for  escalade,  when  an  alarm  was  given  by  a 
sentry  on  north-east  bastion — the  guns  of  which  immediately 
poured  forth  grape. 

Led  on  by  Colonel  Watson,  the  grenadiers  of  14th,  under 
Captain  Johnstone,  crossed  the  ditch,  and  escaladed  the  ramparts 
on  north-east  face,  notwithstanding  the  grape-shot.     This  was 


1812.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  477 

soon  silencerl  by  rapidity  of  grenadiers,  followed  bv  14th  Regi- 
ment, supported  by  our  sliarp-sbooters,  so  posted  as  to  send  their 
shot  into  the  embrasures. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Watson  pushed  along  the  ramparts  for  the 
Prince's  Gate,  while  a  party  of  sepoys  crossed  the  ditch  at  the 
angle  of  the  bastion  first  attacked,  and  passing  along  the  berm, 
let  down  the  draw-bridge  for  the  admission  of  ('olonel  McLeod's 
column. 

The  Prince's  Gate  was  with  difficulty  blown  open.  Mean- 
while, the  troops  having  cleared  the  ditch  by  means  of  the  diuw- 
bridge,  ascended  on  one  another's  shoulders  through  the 
embrasures.  All  this  time  a  brisk  fire  was  kept  up  from  our 
fort  on  interior  of  the  "  Crattan  "  Enemy  raked  the  ramparts 
will)  grape  during  the  passage  to  south-east  bastion,  which  was 
taken  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 

From  thence,  troops  moved  along  the  south  face,  and,  after  a 
severe  conflict,  the  troops  succeeded  in  opening  the  gates  for 
Colonel  Dewar,  who  had  arrived,  having  defeated  the  enemy  in 
the  suburbs  'L'he  whole  column  now  rushed  to  the  west  gaie, 
and  in  their  progress  the  captured  guns  were  turned  on  the 
enemy. 

Cavalry  and  Artillery  were  so  disposed  as  to  cut  ofi"  fugitives 
from  the  fort.  The  Sultan,  finding  be  had  no  chance  of  escape, 
surrendered. 

The  fortifications  being  cleared,  they  obstinately  contested  a 
mosque  outside  the  fort.  Here  Colonel  Gillespie  received  a 
severe  wound  in  the  arm,  from  a  blunderbuss.  The  conflict 
having  lasted  three  hours,  ended  in  a  complete  victory  for  us. 
Our  loss  was  122  killed  and  wounded — far  below  what  could 
reasonably  have  been  expected,  considering  the  disparity  of 
forces.  This  was  due  to  the  bravery  of  troops,  and  their  over- 
bearing rapidity  in  the  attack.  Loss  of  enemy  very  great,  as 
besides  the  killed  and  wounded  on  tlie  ramparts,  and  in  the 
bastions,  a  prodigious  number  of  dead  were  lying  in  heaps  under 


478  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1812. 

every  gateway,  especially  the  centre  one.  British  troops 
engaged  were  less  than  I,OUO,  and  defeated  17,000  well- 
appointed,  men  bent  on  defending  the  "  Crattan  "  to  the  last. 

The  old  Sultan  was  exiled  to  the  Prince  of  Wales'  Island, 
and  his  son  placed  on  the  throne. 

The  Sovereign  of  Solo,  intimidated  by  this,  readily  acceded 
to  the  terms  offered  to  him. 

His  example  was  followed  by  the  other  native  princes,  and 
the  British  supremacy  was  established. 

We  had  23  killed  and  99  wounded  =  122  ;  9  oflScers  wounded, 
of  whom  one  died  from  his  wounds  ;  8  horses  killed,  and  ]  5 
wounded;   92  guns  were  taken. 

In  Gillespie's  general  orders,  dated  Djoejocarta,  June  21st, 
1812,  the  following  remarks  were  made  regarding  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Mackenzie  :  — 

"  Lieutenant- Colonel  Mackenzie,  of  the  Madras  Engineers, 
and  Major  Thorn,  Deputy  Quartermaster- General,  whose  gal- 
lantry and  conduct  have  been  always  conspicuous,  were 
exceedingly  serviceable  in  arranging  the  plan  of  attack.  The 
former  of  these  officers  having  been  detained  on  the  island  upon 
professional  duties,  the  Commander  of  the  force  was  particularly 
fortunate  in  the  opportunity  of  benefiting  by  his  valuable 
talents  and  exertions." 

And  in  General  Orders  by  Commander-in-Chief  in  India: — 
"  Warmest  thanks  and  highest  approbation  ....  to  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Mackenzie,  of  Madras  Engineers,  who,  being 
detained  on  the  island  by  professional  duties,  afforded  all 
the  aid  of  his  valuable  talents  in  the  formation  of  the  plan 
of  attack." 

On  the  departure  of  the  first  part  of  the  expedition  on  7th 
October  1811,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Mackenzie  was  ordered  by  the 
Commander-in-Chief  to  remain  some  time  longer  in  Java,  for 
certain  professional  and  military  duties.  He  remained  in  Java 
till    late    in    1813,    when    the  Commission   being   ^closed    he 


laia.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  479 

returned  to  India  by  way  of  Bengal,  to  communicate  with 
the  Supreme  Government  on  the  duties  he  had  been 
employed  on. 

On  lOth  September  1813,  "The  Honourable  the  Lieutenant- 
Governor  (of  Java)  avails  himself  of  the  opportunity  afforded 
by  the  approaching  departure  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Mackenzie 
(Chief  Engineer  on  the  expedition  to  Java)  to  render  to  that 
distinguished  ofiBcer  bis  peculiar  acknowledgments,  and  to  testify 
his  unreserved  approbation  of  the  zeal,  ability,  and  unwearied 
application  wbich  he  has  displayed  on  this  island.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Mackenzie  has  been  employed  since  the  conquest  of 
Java  in  collecting  and  arranging  the  topographical  and  military 
reports  and  antiquities  of  the  island,  and  in  ascertaining  the 
state  of  the  landed  terms  and  the  general  condition  of  the 
inhabitants." 

"  As  President  of  the  Commission  on  Java  affairs,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Mackenzie  has  visited  almost  every  part  of  the  island, 
and  it  is  to  the  unremitting  and  extraordinary  application  and 
zeal  of  Lieutenant- Colonel  Mackenzie,  that  we  are  principallv 
indebted  for  the  lights  which  have  been  thrown  on  the  subject. 
The  Honourable  the  Lieutenant-Governor  in  Council,  will  have 
much  satisfaction  in  communicating  to  the  Supreme  Govern- 
ment, the  favourable  sentiments  which  he  entertains  of  the 
essential  benefits  which  have  been  conferred  on  this  colony  by 
the  exertions  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Mackenzie,  and  the  Lieu- 
tenanant-Governor  requests  that  he  will  accept  his  personal 
thanks  for  the  aid  and  advice  which  his  talents  and  judgment 
have  afforded  during  his  stay  on  this  island  " 

In  August  1812,  a  force  was  assembled  at  Bellary,  under 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Dowse  (who  formerly  commanded  a  battalion 
of  Pioneers),  for  field  service  in  the  Southern  Mahratta  country. 
It  consisted  of  some  Artillery,  H.AL's  56th  Regiment,  and  J  2th, 
22nd,  and  2J:th  Native  Infantry,  with  a  detachment  of 
Pioneers. 


480  MILITARY   HISTOEY    OF    THE  [1812-13. 

Captain  Garrard,  of  the  Engineers,  served  with  this  force 
from  September  1812  to  July  1813,  and  Lieutenant  Davies,  of 
Engineers,  was  employed  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Dowse, 
in  surveying  the  country  in  which  the  field-force  was  employed. 

The  force  continued  in  the  field  till  May  1814,  when  it 
returned  into  the  Madras  Presidency,  with  the  thanks  of  the 
Resident  et  Pcona,  and  the  approbation  of  the  Governor-General, 
dated  20th  May  1814. 

The  Resident  at  Poona,  Mr.  Elphinstone,  wrote  on  2nd  April 
1814  as  follows  : — 

"  Begs  to  bring  to  notice  the  good  conduct  of  the  troops  under 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Dowse,  and  points  out  the  exertions  that 
have  been  required  of  them,  from  the  seasons  to  which  they 
have  been  exposed,  and  from  the  nature  of  the  country  in 
which  they  were  employed." 

After  the  capture  of  Java,  a  detachment  of  Pioneers,  under 
Lieutenant  Stuart,  were  detained  on  the  island  ;  and  on  5th 
June  1813,  the  Commander-in-Chief  in  Java  (Gillespie)  said  he 
had  "  equal  pleasure  in  recording  his  sense  of  the  conduct  of 
the  detachment  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Stuart,  who  have  been 
uniformly  distinguished  by  a  zeal  and  steadiness,  and  patient 
enduring  under  trying  circumstances,  which  have  rendered  their 
services  eminently  useful,  and  themselves  deserving  of  particular 
regard  and  consideration." 

Even  after  this  detachment  had  left  for  Madras,  one  havildar 
and  three  naigues,  of  1st  battalion  Pioneers,  were  detained  by 
Gillespie  on  the  island,  to  assist  in  forming  a  colonial  Corps  of 
Pioneers.     Their  names  were  : — 

Havildar  Yagapen. 
Naigue  Chourymootoo. 
Naigue  Cauveryan. 
„        Ramen. 

On  12th  December  1813  a  field  force  under  Major-General 
Taylor  was  formed,  in  two  divisions,  at  Gooty.     Mackintosh  and 


1813-18.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  481 

Trapaud  *  were  ordered  on  service  with  this  force.  The  force  saw 
no  active  service. 

On  3rd  November  1818,  the  establishment  of  European 
officers  for  a  battalion  of  Pioneers  of  eight  oompauies,  was 
revised,  and  ordered  to  consist  of  two  captains,  six  eabalterns, 
and  one  surgeon. 

In  December  1814,  for  the  first  time  an  adjutant  was  appointed 
to  each  battalion  of  Pioneers,  and  these  appointments  were  given 

to — 

Lieutenant  H.  Massey,  1st  battalion, 
Lieutenant  C.  Wilson,  2nd  battalion, 

who  were  already  serving  with  the  Corps. 

In  December  1H14,  a  strong  detachment  of  Pioneers  was 
attached  to  a  force  intended  to  suppress  the  rebellion  in  Ceylon  ; 
but  the  rebellion  having  come  to  an  end  before  the  force 
embarked,  it  was  broken  up  in  June  1816. 

Early  in  1815,  two  companies  of  Pioneers  were  employed  with 
the  Hydrabad  Subsidiary  Force,  under  Colonel  Doveton,  then  in 
advance  near  Ellichpore.  Major  De  Havilland  served  with  this 
force. 

An  Army  of  Reserve,  which  also  had  Pioneers,  was  formed  at 
the  same  time,  and  the  Commander-in-chief  assumed  command 
on  31st  March;  but  a  month  after,  the  force  was  broken  up,  not 
being  required. 

In  November  1815,  a  force  was  assembled  at  Gooty,  under 
Colonel  Marriott,  for  service  in  Kurnool,  and  to  this  a  force  of 
pioneers  was  attached. 

Alif  Khan,  Nawab  of  Kurnool,  died  in  1815;  his  eldest  son 
and  legitimate  successor  was  Munarvar  Khan.  The  next  brother, 
Muzuffer  Khan,  claimed  the  succession,  and  seized  the  fort,  and 
it  was  found  necessary  to  send  a  force  against  it,  under  Colonel 
Marriott.  The  fort  was  artificially,  and  by  nature,  very  strong, 
and  had  never  been   taken,  so  it  was  considered  by  Muzufler 

•  Died  on  6th  December. 

31 


482  MILITAEY   HISTORY    OP    THE  [1815-16. 

Khan  impregnable.  He  refused  to  yield  the  fort  to  the  British 
force  The  commanding  engineer  was  Captain  Mackintosh. 
The  batteries  were  opened  on  the  14th  December  1815,  and  the 
next  day  the  fortress  was  surrendered  at  discretion,  and  taken 
possession  of  without  the  loss  of  a  man.  This  easy  surrender 
was  attributed  to  the  effect  of  the  shells  among  the  cavalry, 
amounting  to  about  600,  the  personal  escort  of  the  chiefs,  who, 
owing  to  the  precautions  taken,  and  to  the  Toongubuddra  being 
unfordable,  could  not  make  their  escape.  The  force  was  broken 
up  in  the  following  June,  and  the  Governor-in-Council  on  this 
occasion  expressed  his  entire  satisfaction  with  the  zeal  and  ability 
manifested  by  Colonel  Marriott  in  all  the  operations  of  his  late 
important  charge. 

"The  exemplary  conduct,  in  every  respect,  of  the  officers  and 
soldiers  who  served  under  his  command  is  also  entitled  to  high 
commendation." 

NumavarKhan  was  placed  on  the  musnud.*  He  reigned  eight 
years,  and  died  in  1823.  Muzuffer  Khan  was  then  the  successor, 
but  while  on  his  way  to  be  installed,  in  company  with  Mr. 
Campbell,  the  Collector  of  Bellary,  he  murdered  his  own  wife, 
and  was  sentenced  to  be  imprisoned  for  life  in  the  fort  of 
Bellary.  Goolam  Russool,  one  of  the  youngest  of  Alif  Khan's 
sons,  was  placed  on  the  musnud.  He  being  the  son  of  a  dancing- 
girl,  and  therefore  not  of  true  Patan  descent,  was  not  properly 
the  successor;  but  he  was  a  favourite  of  Alif  Khan,  who  had 
applied  to  the  Government  to  have  him  recognised  as  his 
successor. 

Between  December  1810,  and  December  1816  there  were  seven 
casualties  in  the  Corps. 

In  January  1816,  Lieutenant-General  Trapaud,  Chief  Engineer, 
went  home  on  three  years'  furlough,  nnd  Lieu  tenant- Colonel 
Caldwell  was  appointed  to  act  as  Chief  Engineer 

Lieutenant-Colonel   Mackenzie   was  senior    to   Caldwell,   but 

*  The  throne  ;  i.e.  he  was  installed  Nawab. 


1811-13.]  MADKAS   ENGINEERS.  483 

was  Surveyor-General  of  India,  having  been  appointed  26th  May 
1815. 
The  Acting  Chief-Engineer's  pay  was  as  follows  : — 

Pagodas. 
Established  Allowance 208      14     0 

Allowance  for  Draughtsmen     ...     229     41  20 


437     55  20 


Or  about  1,533  rupees  (Arcot). 

The  President-in-Council,  thinking  this  salary  too  small, 
resolved  to  give  him  a  personal  allowance  of  300  pagodas  a 
month,  and  100  pagodas  from  Civil  Department  as  Inspector  of 
Tank  Repairs  Establishment. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Norris  retired,  23rd  September  1811. 

Major  Blair  died.  23rd  March  1812  (just  after  leaving  Madras, 
on  his  way  home  sick) 

Lieutenant  C.  E.  Trapaud  died  at  Bellary,  6th  December  1813. 

Major  R.  H.  Eotheringham  retired,  4th  October  1815. 

Captain  H.  H.  Torriano  died  at  Ennore,  7th  February  1815. 

Captain  John  Blakiston  retired,  28th  July  1815. 

Blakiston  left  India  Marcli  1812,  and  reached  Deal  in  July. 
About  this  time,  came  the  news  of  the  battle  of  Salamanca.  He 
wrote  to  Wellington,  and  having  got  a  favourable  reply,  was 
placed  by  the  Duke  of  York  on  full  pay,  in  some  regiment  in  the 
Peninsula,  and  in  March  1813  embarked  for  Lisbon  The 
following  is  a  brief  record  of  his  services  to  the  close  of  the 
Peninsula  campaign. 

On  3rd  May,  he  reached  the  head-quarters  of  the  army  at 
Frenada,  two  or  three  miles  distant  from  Fuentes  d'Honor.  He 
saw  Lord  Wellington,  and  a  few  days  after  joined  a  Portrguese 
regiment  in  General  Kempt's  brigade  of  the  Light  Division, 
commanded  by  General  Baron  Alten. 

On  21st  May,  winter  quarters  were  broken  up,  and  a  month 
after  he  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Vittoria,  having  marched  270 
miles  in  eighteen  successive  days,  through  a  mountainous  country. 

31  * 


484  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1813-14. 

From  thence  he  marched  to  Pamplona,  and  reached  Vera, 
in  the  Pyrenees,  when  Lord  Wellington  sent  for  him,  and  offered 
to  allow  him  to  act  as  an  engineer  at  the  siege  of  St.  Sebastian. 

Blakiston  eagerly  closed  with  the  o£fer,  and  on  the  15th 
July  started  for  that  place. 

On  the  24th,  just  previous  to  the  first  most  unsuccessful 
assault,  while  with  the  working  party  in  the  trenches,  he 
received  a  severe  wound  from  a  musket-ball,  wliich  passed 
through  his  arm  and  broke  one  of  the  bones.  He  was  sent  with 
the  wounded  to  Bilboa,  and  among  the  wounded  was  a  Lieutenant 
Reid,  of  the  Royal  Engineers,  who  had  received  a  grape  shot  in 
the  neck.  Reid  recovered  in  time  to  be  present  at  the  second 
assault  of  St.  Sebastian. 

On  30th  August,  Blakiston  returned  by  road  to  St.  Sebastian, 
too  late  for  the  assault  of  the  town.  He  was,  however,  employed 
in  the  capture  of  the  castle,  a  party  of  the  German  TiCgion  being 
placed  under  his  orders. 

On  8th  September,  the  batteries  opened  fire,  and  in  a  few  hours 
the  garrison  surrendered  Blakiston  now  rejoined  his  regiment. 
On  7th  October,  Wellington  crossed  the  Bidassoa,  and  the 
division  in  which  Blakiston's  regiment  was  employed  attacked 
the  heights  of  Vera.  About  this  time  he  was  gazetted  to  a 
company  in  one  of  the  regiments  of  the  4th  Division,  but  did 
not  remove  to  his  new  regiment,  as  he  expected  that  Marshal 
Beresford  would  promote  him  to  a  majority. 

On  10th  November,  he  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of  the 
Nivelle,  as  well  as  in  the  operations  connected  with  the  battle  of 
the  Nive,  from  the  9th  to  13th  December  1813. 

On  21st  February  1814,  the  division  broke  up  before  Bayonne, 
and  marched  to  combine  in  the  general  movement  which  was  about 
to  take  place.  Early  on  morning  of  the  27th  they  crossed  the 
river  by  a  pontoon  bridge  near  Orthes,  and  were  engaged  in  the 
battle  at  that  place.  After  the  battle,  they  followed  in  pursuit  of 
the  enemy;  and  on  1st  March,  reached  Mont  de  Marson,  where 


1814.]  MADKAS   ENGINEERS.  485 

tliey  captured  a  large  convoy  of  provisions.  About  12th  March, 
they  resumed  their  march,  and  arrived  near  Tarbes  on  the  19th. 

Thence  they  pushed  on,  and  about  the  end  of  the  month 
arrived  opposite  to  Toulouse.  Lord  Wellington  having  directed 
that  a  bridge  should  be  thrown  across  the  Garonne,  a  few  miles 
above  Toulouse,  Blakiston  proceeded  to  act  with  the  engineers 
on  the  occasion.  The  bridge  was  completed  by  the  morning, 
and  two  divisions  of  our  army  crossed.  In  a  day  or  two  our 
two  divisions  returned,  and  Lord  Wellington  resolved  to  throw  a 
bridge  across,  some  miles  below  the  town.  The  bridge  was  com- 
pleted during  the  night  of  the  5th,  and  the  4th  and  6th  Divisions 
crossed.  There  was  now  incess.int  rain,  and  the  bridge  received 
much  damage,  and  was  in  great  danger  of  being  carried  away. 

By  the  8th,  the  bridge  was  thoroughly  repaired.  On  the  same 
night,  the  pontoon  bridge  had  to  be  moved  higher  up  the  river. 
This  was  not  done  in  time  to  admit  of  its  being  complete  before 
noon.  Lord  Wellington  was  very  angry  at  this,  as  he  had 
intended  to  have  crossed  over  two  more  divisions  that  morning, 
and  to  hiive  attacked  the  enemy. 

He  was  compelled  to  postpone  this  operation  till  the  next  day 
(Easter  Sunday),  10th  April,  when  the  8rd  Division,  and  the 
one  in  which  Blakiston  was  employed,  crossed  the  bridge,  and 
moved  towards  the  town. 

On  the  same  day  was  fought  the  battle  of  Toulouse,  which 
resulted  in  the  defeat  of  the  French,  and  their  full  retreat.  Soon 
after.  Lord  Wellington  entered  into  a  convention  with  Marshal 
Soult,  whereby  hostilities  were  brought  to  a  close. 

Blakiston  now  obtained  leave  of  absence,  and  set  off  for 
England,  via  Bordeaux.     He  obtained  a  majority  in  27th  Foot.* 


•  John  Blakiston  was  second  son  of  second  baronet  Sir  Mathew  Blakiston. 
Ho  was  born  on  8th  February  1785,  and  married,  after  his  return  from  the 
Peninsula,  on  2yth  tieptember  1814.  His  wife  was  Jane,  daughter  of  Rev. 
Thomas  Wright,  Rector  of  Market  Bosworth,  county  Leicester ;  by  her  he  had 
four  sons  and  three  daughters.     Ho  died  on  4th  June  1807,  in  his  83rd  year. 


486  MILITARY    HISTORY   OF    THE  [1811-16. 

From    1811    to    1816,   both  inclusive,  the   following   officers 
joined  the  Corps  : — 

J,  W.  Nattes,  July  27  th,  1811. 
W.  WotherspooD,       „ 
A.  Koss,  June  11th,  1812. 
J.  Eobius,  „ 

J.  Purton,  ,, 

J.  K.  Anderson,  July  6th,  1813. 
J.  Oliphant,  July  4th,  18U. 
W.  T.  Drury, 

G.  J.  Jenkins,  July  11th,  1815. 
J.  J.  Underwood,  July  9th,  1816. 
H.  C.  Cotton, 
The  whole  Corps  at  this  time  consisted,  inclusive  of  those  at 
home  and  on  service  in  foreign  countries,  of  thirty-three  officers. 
Major  William    Farquhar  was    Kesident   and    Commandant    at 
Malacca,  and  in  1816  went  home  on  three  years'  furlough. 
Lieutenant  Monteith  was  employed  in  Persia 
Before  Lieutenant-General  Trapaud  left  for  England,  he  sent 
in  a  Memorial*  regnrding  the   exclusion  of  general   officers   of 
Engineers  and  Artillery  from  Staff  employ 

The  following  are  the  names  of  some  of  the  officers  employed 
with  the  Pioneers  from  1811-16: — 

14th  August  181 1,  Captain  Hughes,  commanded  1st  battalion. 
5th  June  1812,  Lieutenant  Kichardson,  with  Pioneers. 
8th     September     1814,    Lieutenant    Prendergast,    with      1st 
battalion, 

13th    September   1814,  Lieutenant  G.  M.  Steward,  with    1st 
battalion. 

13th  September  1814,   Lieutenant  A.   Stewart,  in  Java  with 
Pioneers. 

7th  October  1814,  Captain  E.  Snow,  commanded  1st  battalion. 
14th       „  ,,  ,,       Bertram,  with  1  st  battalion. 

23rd  December  1814,   Lieutenant    H.  Massey,   adjutant   1st 
battalion. 

•  Dated  2nd  August  1815. 


1811-16.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  487 

28rd  December  1814,  Lieutenant  C.  Wilson,  with  2nd  battalion. 
23rd    October    1816,   Lieutenant   F.    W.   Morgan,    with    1st 
battalion. 

On  3rd  August  1813,  Captain  Garrard,  who  was  Superin- 
tending Engineer  at  Mysore,  complained  that  Major-General 
Wetherall,  commanding  the  division,  objected  to  his  detaching 
his  assistant,  Lieutenant  Nattes,  to  Seringapatam,  without  orders 
from  head- quarters. 

The  Major- General  was  informed  by  the  Government  that 
Captain  Garrard  had  full  power  to  order  his  as&istant  to  any 
place  in  his  division  he  thought  fit. 

The  Engineers  Department  appears  to  have  been  viewed  with 
considerable  jealousy  by  the  Quartermaster-General.  Further 
on  it  will  be  seen  that  this  jealousy  culminated  in  an  acrimonious 
discussion  between  the  Chief  Engineer,  and  the  Quartermaster- 
General. 

On  30th  December  1815,  the  Chief  Engineer  complained  that 
the  Quartermaster- General  had  interfered  with  his  Department 
by  ordering  the  survey  of  the  fort  of  Gooty,  and  that  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Blacker,  the  Quartermaster  General,  did  not  address 
him  direct  in  the  matter.  The  Quartermaster-General  was  told 
that  the  duties  of  surveying  forts  appertained  to  the  Engineers' 
Department. 

Note. — Blakiston  was  not  present  at  Waterloo.  In  181 5  the  3rd  battalion  of  his 
regiment  was  in  America,  and  he  was  on  leave.  When  the  war  again  broke  out 
the  3rd  battalion  was  ordered  home,  but  only  arrived  in  time  to  be  employed  in 
the  occupation  of  Paris.  Blakiston  mentions  that  when  it  was  determined  to 
remove  the  celebrated  bronze  horses  which  Napoleon  had  brought  from  Venice, 
orders  were  issued  to  carry  out  the  work  at  night,  so  as  to  avoid  wounding  the 
susceptibiUties  of  the  Parisians.  Blakiston  was  breakfasting  with  the  Duke 
when  it  was  reported  that  the  workmen  had  been  unable  to  caiTy  out  his  orders 
of  the  previous  night,  as  they  had  been  driven  away  when  attempting  to  do  so. 
The  Duke  smiled  on  hearing  this,  and  said  in  that  case  it  must  be  donj  during 
the  day  ;  and  ho  at  once  ordered  the  square  to  bo  tilled  with  Austrian  troops. 
After  that,  no  difficulty  was  encountered,  and  the  trophies  were  taken  down  and 
removed  to  Venice,  where  they  now  are  on  the  church  of  St.  Mark. 


488  MILITAEY   HISTOBT    OF    THE  [1816. 


CHAPTER  XYII. 

Mahratta  War. — Rajah  of  Nagpore  intrigues.— Holkar  commences  hostilities. — 
Holkar  and  Scindiah  make  treaties  with  the  British  Government. — Pindar- 
ries. — The  Peishwa. — The  Nagpore  Government. — Holkar  a  young  minor. — 
Intrigues  at  Peishwa's  Court  previous  to  1815. — Trimbuckjee  confined  to 
Tannah,  but  escapes. — Alliance  proposed  to  the  Peishwa. — Hydrabad. — 
Appa  Sahib's  alliance  with  British  Government. — Pindarries  enter  the 
Madras  territory. — Divisions  in  the  field.— Lord  Hastings  reaches  Gawnpore. 
— Sir  T.  Hislop  leaves  Secunderabad. — Doveton  leaves  Jaulna. — 4th 
Division  in  rear  of  Unkye  Tankye  pass. — The  Governor-General  takes  the 
field. — Treaty  with  Scindiah. — Sir  T.  Hislop  arrives  at  Hurdah.— 2nd 
Division  of  the  Grand  Army  intended  to  undertake  Siege  of  Asseerghur. — 
The  4th  Division  to  advance  to  the  Nerbudda. — Fifth  Division  assembled  at 
Hoosingabad. — 3rd  or  Left  Division  of  the  Grand  Army. — Force  under 
Brigadier  Hardyman. — Brigadier  Toone's  Division  terminated  line  to  the 
left. — Reserve  Division  under  Ouchterlony. — Guzerat  Division. — Deccan 
Reserve  under  Munro. — The  Peishwa  solicits  the  reduction  of  Soondoor. — 
Chain  of  posts  formed  along  the  frontier. — 4th  Division  returns  to  Poona. — 
Movements  of  General  Doveton. — Bajee  Row  attacks  the  Residency  at 
Poona. — Colonel  Bm-r  defeats  the  Peishwa. — 4th  Division  reaches  Kirkee. — 
Pioneers  improve  the  ford. — Peishwa  retreats. — The  Pindarries. — Position 
of  the  Pindarries. — Pindarrie  forces. — Battle  of  Seetabuldee. — Troops  poured 
into  Nagpore. — Ensign  Jenkins  dies. — Movements  against  the  Pindarries. — 
Operations  against  army  of  Holkar.— Battle  of  Mehidpore. — Bombay  Army. — 
Guzerat  Division. — Movements  of  the  Grand  Army.— Operations  confined  to 
Me  war. — Battle  of  Nagpore. — Attack  of  Nagpore  city. — Storming  party. — 
Attack  on  breach  fails. — Davies  severely  wounded. — Extract  from  General 
Doveton's  letter. — Further  operations  against  the  Pindarries. — Pindarries 
attempt  to  regain  Malwa. — Completely  dispersed  at  Kotrah  on  the  Kalle 
Sindh. — Kureem  Khan  and  Wasil  Mahomed's  forces  annihilated. — Cheetoo's 
forces  dispersed. — Cheetoo  killed  in  the  jungle  by  a  tiger.-^2nd  Division 
proceeds  from  Nagpore  to  the  west. — Holkar's   possessions  in   Khandeish 


1816-1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  489 

ceded  to  the  English. — Operations  of  4th  Division  and  the  Reserve. — 
Detachment  under  Captain  Staunton  repulses  the  Peishwa's  Army  at  Kory- 
gaum. — Flight  of  Bajee  Row  continued. — General  Pritzler  pursues  Bajee 
Row. — Cavalry  action  at  Ashtee.  — Gokla  killed. — Siege  of  Singhur. — 
Singhur  capitulates. — Pritzler  takes  a  number  of  forts. — Munro  takes 
Badami. — Siege  of  Belgaum — Munro  effects  junction  with  Pritzler. — Siege 
of  Sholapore. — The  Fort  of  Sholapore  reconnoitred. — Grant  recoimoitres  the 
rampart  and  ditch. — Sholapore  surrenders. — Forces  in  Hindustan. — Saugor 
surrenders. — Lieutenant  Remon,  Bombay  Engineers,  wounded. — Dhamonee 
surrenders. — Mundla  stormed. — Army  of  the  Deccan. — 1st  Division  of 
Deccan  Army  marches  to  the  south. — Sir  T.  Hislop  at  Talneir. — Killadar 
surrenders. — Arabs  attack  our  party. — Killadar  hanged. — Doveton  at 
Ootran  ordered  to  Bal. — Holkar's  possessions  qxiickly  occupied.— Hislop 
hears  of  Bajee  Row. — Sir  T.  Hislop  returns  to  Madras  via  Bombay. — Bajee 
Row  hastens  towards  Chanda. — Adams  defeats  the  Peishwa  near  Soonee. — 
Pursuit  of  Mahratta  Army. — Peishwa  turns  north  to  cross  the  Taptee. — 
Wusota  invested  by  General  Pritzler. — Surrender  of  Wusota. — The  2nd 
Division  employed  in  pursuit  of  the  Peishwa. — Detachment  under  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  McDowell  into  Khandeish. — Unkye  Tunkye. — Engineer  officers 
present. — Trimbuck  reconnoitred. — Ensign  Lake  wounded. — Trimbuck  sur- 
renders.— Engineer  Department  moves  to  Nassick. — McDowell  before 
Malligaum. — Adams  before  Chanda. — Situation  of  Chanda. — Campaign  in 
Bhonsla  territory  closed. — Appa  Sahib  confined  at  Nagpore. — Appa  Sahib 
escapes. — The  whole  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Adams's  force  takes  the  field. — 
The  Peishwa  crosses  the  Taptee. — Peishwa  has  a  conference  with  Sir  John 
Malcolm. — He  joins  Malcolm's  camp. — McDowall's  force  at  Malligaum. — 
Description  of  Malligaum. — Recommendations  of  Commanding  Engineer, 
Lieutenant  Davies. — Sortie  from  Malligaum  —Lieutenant  Davies  mortally 
wounded. — Eulogy  of  Lieutenant  Davies. — Conduct  of  siege  devolves  on 
Ensign  Xattes. — Arrangements  for  the  assault. — Ensign  Nattes  killed  in  the 
assault. — Storming  party  retreats  to  the  trenches. — Pettah  captured. — ■ 
Attack  on  west  side  abandoned. — Proposal  to  attack  east  face. — Surrender 
of  Malligaum. — Severe  losses  among  Engineer  officers. — Appa  Sahib  makes 
for  the  Mohadeo  Hills. — Adams  sends  reinforcements. — Arabs  driven  into 
the  jungles. — Appa  Sahib  engaged  in  making  fresh  levies. — Intrigues  at 
Nagpore. — At  end  of  October  Mohadeo  Hills  still  hold  out. — Attempt  to 
recover  Chouragurh. — Colonel  Adams  enters  the  Hills. — Tribes  of  Goands 
reduced. — Appa  Sahib  escapes  from  Mohadeo  Hills. — Lieutenant-Colonel 
Pollock  in  the  Valley  of  the  Taptee. — Captures  Jilpy  Amneir. — Ex-Raja  of 
Nagpoor  makes  his  way  to  Assoerghur. — Troops  assembled  for  the  Siege  of 
Asseerghur. — Ordnance  available  for  the  Siege. — Description  of  Asseerghur. 
Attack  of  Asseerghur. — Pettah  taken. — Engineer  Department  established 
in  centre  of  the  pettah. — Malcolm  moves  to  north-west  of  the  fort. — 
Disastroui  explosion. — Engineers  reconnoitred  east  front. — Lieutenant 
Coventry's  (Commanding  Engineer)  report. — Doveton's  Division  moves  for 
attack  on  east  front. — Engineers'  Depot  established  at  the  Ram  Bagh. 


490  MILITABY   HISTOEY   OF    THE  [1816. 

Malighur  occupied  by  our  troojDS. — Saugor  battering  train  and  Bengal 
Miners  aiTive. — North-east  angle  of  fort  destroyed. — Killadar  offers  to 
surrender  with  stipulations,  which  were  rejected. — Killadar  surrenders  un- 
conditionally.— Fort  occupied. — Great  exertions  of  the  Artillery. — Loss  of 
gan-ison  slight. — British  losses. — Appa  Sahib  not  found  in  the  fort. — Appa 
Sahib  escapes  and  makes  his  way  to  the  Punjab. — Attack  of  Nowa. — 
Description  of  Nowa. — Shaft  commenced  to  blow  in  the  counterscarp. — 
Inner  fort  carried. — Our  losses. — Engineer  Establishment. — Siege  of  Copal 
Droog.^Force  encamped  before  Copal  Droog. — Description  of  Copal  Droog, 
— Lower  fort  taken  possession  of. — Plan  of  attack.-^Upper  fort  esca- 
laded. — Assaulting  columns  throughout  the  campaign  led  by  Engineer 
Officers. — Extract  from  General  Pritzler's  despatch. — Disturbances  in 
Sawunt  Waree. — Composition  of  Engineer  Corps  up  to  1829. 

At  the  close  of  the  Mahratta  War  in  1803,  the  British 
Government  in  India  was  at  peace  with  all  the  Native  powers; 
but  it  was  soon  found  that  the  hostile  feeling  of  the  Mahrattas 
had  not  been  eradicated. 

The  Rajah  of  Nagpore  engaged  in  intrigues  with  Scindiah  and 
Holkar. 

Holkar  was  the  first  to  commence  hostilities.  This  war 
terminated  in  1805.  Scindiah,  in  1804,  had  concluded  a  treaty 
of  defensive  alliance  with  the  British  Government ;  but  when  he 
saw  how  our  arms  were  occupied  with  Holkar,  he  resolved  to  try 
his  strength  again,  and  marched  to  the  Chumbal  when  Holkar 
was  at  Bhurtpore.  When  the  operations  at  Bhurtpore  termin- 
ated, Holkar  seemed  so  disposed  to  peace  that  Lord  Lake 
hastened  to  attack  Scindiah.  The  latter  fled  to  Subbulghur, 
and  finding  Holkar  subdued,  he  also  made  a  treaty  with  the 
Government  in  November  1805. 

Thus  the  general  peace  was  restored  ;  but  Scindiah  and 
Holkar  still  continued  to  desolate  the  country  now  known  as 
Central  India.  Under  this  state  of  things  was  gradually  formed 
a  power  (Pindarries),  which  gained  sufficient  strength  to  extort 
territory  from  tlie  Mahratta  leaders,  and  to  wrest  lands  from  the 
petty  chiefs  adjoining. 

The  Peishwa  proceeded  peacefully  till  1812,  when  he  attempted 
to   subvert  the  Southern  Jaghiredars ;  and  this  led  to  British 


1816.  MADRAS   ENGINEEES.  491 

interference.  The  Peishwa  was  induced  to  waive  some  of  his 
pretensions;  but  even  after  this,  the  British  Government  was 
constantly  called  upon  to  interfere  to  prevent  unjust  exaction  on 
the  one  side,  and  to  enforce  respect  on  the  other.  Nothing 
occurred  to  disturb  the  peace  with  the  Nagpore  Government ; 
in  fact,  the  harmony  should  have  been  improved,  as  in  1809, 
when  the  Nagpore  power  was  endangered  by  the  invasion  of 
Ameer  Khan  (in  war  with  Holkar,  in  1805,  he  commanded  a 
large  body  of  cavalry),  the  movement  of  a  division  of  the  Madras 
army,  under  Major-General  Sir  Barry  Close,  from  the  Deccan, 
and  a  similar  corps,  under  Sir  Gabriel  Martindale,  from  Bundel- 
cund,  relieved  the  Nagpore  army  from  being  invested  in  a 
position  where  for  some  weeks  it  had  to  engage  in  a  daily 
skirmish  for  water.  Since  the  peace  with  Holkar,  in  1 806,  the 
most  amicable  terms  subsisted  between  that  power,  and  the 
British  Government. 

In  1808  Jeswunt  Row  Holkar  became  deranged,  and  died  in 
1811,  being  succeeded  by  his  son,  Mulhar  Row  Holkar,  then 
six  years  of  age. 

Some  time  previous  to  1815  the  Peishwa's  Court  had  been 
disturbed  by  intrigues  to  displace  the  Minister,  and  the  Peishwa 
brought  into  notice  his  personal  favourite,  Trimbuckjee 
Dainglia.  Gungadhun  Shastree,  the  agent  from  the  Guickwar 
State,  was  murdered  in  the  streets  of  Puuderpore  at  Trimbuokjee's 
instigation  (subsequently  he  was  found  only  to  be  an  instrument 
of  the  Peishwa).  The  British  Government  interfered  to  disgrace 
Trimbuckjee.  He  was  apprehended,  and  confined  in  September 
1816,  at  Tannali,  but  escaped.  An  insurrection  followed  (in  the 
Mohudeo  Hills,  south  of  Poona,)  of  which  he  was  the  head. 

The  Subsidiary  Force  was  accordingly  marched  to  near  Poona, 
and  anotlier  alliance  proposed  to  the  Peishwa  The  security 
required  was  the  surrender  of  Ryeghur,  Singhur,  and  Poorunder. 
While  this  was  going  on  at  Poona  occurrences  at  the  Nizam's 
induced  the  Resident  to  apply  for  a  military  force.     At  Nagpore, 


492  MILITARY    HISTORY   OP    THE  [I81ft-1T. 

Rajah  Raghope  Bhonslah  died  early  in  1816,  and  was  succeeded 
by  his  imbecile  son,  Moodajee.  A  Regent  was  appointed,  by 
name  Appa  Sahib,  who  succeeded  his  cousin  Aloodajee,  on  the 
throne  becoming  vacant  by  his  death.  Appa  Sahib  entered  into 
an  alliance  with  British  Government.  All  these  events  produced 
the  gradual  increase  of  British  forces  in  the  Deccan,  and  a 
corresponding  decrease  in  the  British  troops  on  the  frontier. 

The  Pindarries,  finding  this  the  case  in  1810  and  1817, 
entered  the  Madras  Presidency  in  large  bodies,  and  succeeded 
in  materially  injuring  the  country  without  receiving  any  adequate 
punishment.  These  aggressions  called  for  the  most  spirited 
conduct  on  the  part  of  the  British  Government.  All  the  Native 
powers  professed  to  deplore  the  evil  of  the  predatory  system 
which  prevailed  in  the  midst  of  them,  and  testified  every  possible 
alacrity  to  contribute  to  its  suppression.  Their  professions, 
however,  were  not  sufficient  to  give  the  British  Government 
confidence  in  their  sincerity.  In  contemplating  a  campaign  for 
the  extermination  of  the  Pindarries,  it  was  necessary  to  provide, 
at  the  same  time,  against  a  combination  of  the  Mahratta  powers. 
The  first  theatre  of  war  would  be  the  Nerbudda  Valley  ;  but  after 
the  expulsion  (.)f  the  Pindarries  from  that  line  the  operations 
might  extend  to  any  part  of  Malwah,  or  the  Deccan.  The 
Deccan  was  already  occupied  by  British  forces,  which  only 
required  to  be  reinforced  from  Madras,  and  Bombay.  The 
demonstration  on  north  and  east  of  Malwah  were  the  especial 
province  of  Bengal  army  ;  while  that  on  west  was  to  be  under- 
taken by  Bombay  troops  from  Guzerat. 

The  rainy  season  of  1817  was  spent  in  preparing  for  a  great 
military  eff'ort  against  the  Pindarries,  and  whatever  powers  of 
Central  India  might  support  them.  Lord  Hastings,  the  Governor- 
General,  intended  to  have  four  divisions  on  the  side  of  Hindoo- 
stan.  Left  division  at  Kalingur,  in  Bundelcund,  commanded  by 
Major-General  Marshall.  Centre  division  between  Calpee  and 
Ltawah,  on  the  Jumna,   under  Major-General  Brown.     Right 


1817.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  493 

dirision  at  Agra,  under  Major- General  Donkin  ;  and  Reserve 
division,  under  Major-General  Sir  David  Ouchterlony,  K.C.B.,  at 
Rewarree. 

In  addition  to  this,  two  Corps  of  Observation  at  Rewah,  and 
further  east. 

On  the  Deccan  side,  he  had  five  substantial  corps,  and  a 
Reserve. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  of  Madras,  Sir  Thomas  Hislop,  was 
to  have  personal  command  of  the  troops  between  the  Nerbudda, 
and  tlie  Kistua. 

1st,  or  advanced  Division,  was  commanded  by  Sir  Thomas 
Hislop  in  person. 

2nd,  or  Hydrabad  Division,  under  Brigadier- General  Doveton, 
C.B. 

3rd,  under  Brigadier-General  Sir  John  ISfalcolm,  K.C.B. 

4th,  or  Poona  Division,  under  Brigadiei'-Geueral  Smith, 
C.B. 

5th,  or  Nagpore  Division,  under  Colonel  Adam,  C.B 

Reserve  under  Brigadier-General  Munro  ;  Brigadier  General 
Pritzler  being  second  in  command  under  him. 

In  addition  to  these,  there  was  the  Guzerat  division  of  Bombay 
troops,  under  Major-General  Sir  W.  Grant  Keir. 

Lord  Hastings  embarked  at  Calcutta  on  9th  July  1817,  and 
arrived  at  Cawnpore  on  13th  September. 

The  troops  to  form  the  Deccan  divisions  were  at  Dliarwar, 
Punderpore,  Secunderabad,  Jaulna,  Nngpore,  Hoosingabad, 
Sohagpore,  Gurhwarra,  Jubbulpore,  near  and  at  Poona,  near 
Ahmednugger,  &c. 

The  1st  Division  had  orders  to  proceed  to  Hindia  on  the 
Nerbudda. 

2nd  to  act  in  Berar. 

3rd  to  proceed  in  advance. 

4th  to  act  in  Khandeish  {south  of  the  Satpoora  Hills, 
which  divide  the  Taptee  from  the  Nerbudda),  in  communication 


494  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [181T. 

with  second  division  on  one  side,  and  the  Guzerat  force  on  the 
other. 

A  small  force  was  left  at  Poona,  and  another  at  Hyderabad. 

A  detachment  marched,  towards  end  of  August,  from 
Secunderabad  for  point  of  assembly  of  1st  Division;  half 
squadron  Horse  Artillery,  one  squadron  22nd  DragoonS;  one 
wing  Madras  Europeans,  3rd  Punjaub  Light  Infantry,  and  half 
the  1st  battalion  Madras  Pioneers. 

They  reached  Nandair,  on  the  Godavery,  on  IGth  October. 

On  9th  June  1817,  Lieutenant  Grant,  Ensigns  Purton,  and 
Jenkins,  of  Engineers,  were  ordered  to  join  field  force  assembling 
at  Adoni ;  and  Lieutenant  A.  Anderson  and  Ensign  J.  W.  Nattes 
to  join  field  force  at  Jaulna,  and  be  under  orders  of  Lieutenant 
Davies. 

On  24th  September,  Ensigns  Underwood,  and  E.  Lake  were 
ordered  to  join  army  in  the  field. 

1st  battalion  7th  Native  Infantry,  with  two  6-pounders,  was 
ordered,  on  20th  September,  to  escort  materials  from  Jaulna,  to 
facilitate  the  passage  of  the  river  at  Changdeo  at  the  confluence 
of  the  Poornah  and  Taptee.  It  was  accompanied  by  half  1st 
battalion  of  Pioneers,  and  the  Engineers  Department,  under 
Lieutenant  Davies,  to  whom  was  entrusted  the  immediate 
preparation  of  such  expedients  as  should  be  found  most 
applicable  to  the  pressing  exigency  of  the  service. 

Route  was  by  Adjuuta,  Jumbool,  and  Wuggerkeira. 

This  small  force  arrived  4th  October. 

A  flying  bridge  was  established,  in  expectation  of  the  advanced 
corps  consisting  of : — 

4  6-pounders  with  Artillerymen, 
4  companies  of  Rifles,  and 
3  Native  Regiments, 

under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Robert  Scot  ;  but  owing  to  a  sudden 
rise  of  the  Poornah,  this  force  did  not  cross  the  Taptee  till  12th 
October,    having    marched  by  Jaohera  and  Sumroad.      It  was 


1817J  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  495 

joined  on  the  right  bank  of  river  by  two  companies   of  pioneers 
from  Changdeo. 

The  remainder  of  1st  Division  was  still  at  Jaulna  with  one 
company  of  1st  battalion  Pioneers.  This  force  commenced  its 
march  on  13th  October,  and  crossed  at  Changdeo  on  27th. 

Sir  T.  Hislop,  owing  to  severe  illness,  was  detained  at 
Secunderabad,  but  at  length  moved  from  that  place  on  Ist 
October.  He  overtook  a  detachment  commanded  by  Colonel 
Murray,  at  Nandair,  on  lOth.  A  light  detachment  was  selected 
for  escort  of  head  quarters,  and  remainder  were  left  to  follow, 
bringing  on  with  them  the  heavy  equipment 

General  Doveton  (2nd  Division)  left  Jaulna  on  loth  October, 
and  arrived  on  23rd  at  Meiker,  by  Sindkeir.  At  this  time  the 
4th  Division  was  advanced  on  the  left  towards  Khandeish.  It 
commenced  the  passage  of  the  Goor  river,  near  Seroor,  on  3rd 
October,  and  arrived  at  Unkota,  by  Ahmednugger  and  Toka,  in 
rear  of  Unkye  Tankye  Pass,  on  13th  October.  The  same  day, 
Brigadier-General  Smith  arrived  between  Byzapore  and  Kassum- 
bavie  Ghat,  eighteen  miles  to  right  of  Unkota. 

On  7th  October,  Sir  John  Malcolm  (3rd  Division)  was  joined 
at  Amneir  by  contingent  of  Salabat  Khan,  Nawab  of  Eilichpore. 

On  ICth  October  the  Governor- General  took  the  field,  and  on 
20th  reached  Secundra,  on  the  Jumna,  with  1st  or  Centre 
Division. 

On  25th  it  marched  towards  Maliewa,  on  the  Sindh,  and 
reached  it  on  7th  November.  The  Eight  Division  marched  for 
Dholpore,  on  the  Chumbal,  on  the  5th,  and  arrived  on  8th 
November. 

These  movements  were  directed  against  Scindiah.  He  acceded 
to  the  terms  of  a  fresh  treaty,  which  was  signed  by  him  on  5th 
November,  and  ratified  by  Lord  Hastings  next  day.  In  this 
treaty  Lord  Hastings  stipulated  for  the  occupation  of  Hindia 
and  Asseerghur.  The  latter  could  not  be  obtained,  owing  to  the 
action    of    the    Killadar,    probably    at    Scindiah's    instigation, 


496  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1817. 

although    the    latter    had    ostensibly  agreed   to   its   surrender. 
Scindiah  agreed  to  co-operate  in  the  attack  on  the  Pindarries. 

The  head-quarters  of  the  Deccan  army  crossed  the  Poornah,  at 
Edulabad,  on  30th  October;  the  Taptee,  above  Boorhanpore,  on 
1st  November;  and  on  the  10th,  Sir  T.  Hislop  entered  camp  at 
Hurdah. 

On  13th  November,  Major  Andrews'  detachment  joined  army 
at  Hurdah,  with  2nd  battalion  I4th  Native  Infantry.  This  corps 
left  Meiker  on  27th  October,  and  followed  Major  Andrews  from 
Mulkapore.  Of  the  four  companies  of  Pioneers  marching  with 
this  detachment,  three  were  ordered  to  join  2nd  Division,  which, 
with  one  company  ordered  from  Changdeo  to  Jaulna,  completed 
the  number  for  General  Doveton's  force. 

The  Pioneers  attached  to  the  1st  Division  were  composed  of 
two  companies,  which  joined  Colonel  Scot  at  the  Taptee,  one 
company,  which  macrhed  with  Lieutenant-Colonel  Macintosh 
from  Jaulna,  and  one  ot  t'le  companies  which  arrived  with  Major 
Andrews. 

The  company  of  Pioneers  ordered  to  Jaulna  was  intended  to 
join  a  small  battering  train  which  marched  from  Jaulna  for 
Mulkapore,  on  7th  November.  This  train  was  intended  for  the 
eventual  siege  of  Asseerghur.  The  2nd  Division  was  to  do  this 
service,  and  General  Doveton  was  directed  to  move  to  rear  of 
Mulkapore.  Brigadier  Smith  (4th  Division)  was  to  descend  the 
valley  in  his  front,  and  advance  his  head-quarters  through  the 
Scindwah  Ghat  to  the  Nerbudda 

The  5th  Division  (Adams)  assembled  at  Hoosingabad.  At 
this  time  disturbances  were  feared  at  Nagpore,  and  Colonel 
Adams  was  directed  to  detach  a  reinforcement  to  that  city,  on 
12th  November.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Gahan  marched  with  three 
troops  Bengal  Cavalry,  with  galloper  guns,  and  22nd  Native 
Infantry,  with  two  6-pounders.  This  detachment  halted  at 
Sindkeir  till  a  requisition  should  be  received  from  Mr.  Jenkins, 
the  Resident. 


181T.]  MADE  AS   ENGINEERS.  497 

To  return  to  the  Grand  army. 

The  3rd,  or  Left  Division,  under  General  Marshall,  assembled 
at  Kallinger  on  1 0th  October,  to  co  operate  with  the  advanced 
division  of  Array  of  the  Deccan,  for  the  expulsion  of  Pindarries  ; 
to  protect  the  frontier  of  Bundelcund,  aud  to  frustrate  attempts  at 
escape  south-east  toNagpore  Its  march  commenced  on  the  l'3th 
in  direction  of  Huttab,  which  place  it  reached  on  the  27th,  and 
halted  there  till  4th  November.  From  Huttah,  it  went  on  to 
Reillie,*  by  Gurracotta,  12th  November.  To  the  left  of  this 
division,  was  a  force  under  Brigadier- General  Hardyman, 
intended  to  continue  the  line  to  the  south-east;  this  was  at 
Oomree,  on  23rd  October. 

Brigadier- General  Toone's  detachment  was  to  terminate  the  line 
of  defence  to  the  left,  on  the  upper  Soane,  to  protect  southern 
frontier  of  Bahar. 

On  6tli  November  this  force  was  at  Oontarree.  From  thence 
was  made  a  distribution  of  posts  to  occupy  the  principal  passes, 
and  to  maintain  communications  between  them,  and  Brigadier- 
General  Hardyman's  extreme  post  of  Burdee. 

The  Reserve  Division,  uuder  Ouchterlony,  was  to  assemble  at 
Delhi  on  20th  October,  and  march  to  Rewaree  to  control  Ameer 
Khan  [&  dependant  of  Holkar),  and  intercept  Pindarries  who 
might  retreat  north-west.  He  was  also  to  support  the  Rajpoot 
States.  The  Guzerat  Division  was  intended  to  protect  the 
Guzerat  frontier  against  the  Pindarries,  and  co-operate  with  the 
Deccan  army,  if  we  had  to  fight  the  Mahrattas. 

The  Deccan  Reserve,  under  Munro,  was  intended  to  form  a 
reserve  in  the  parallel  of  Kulburga,  either  to  incline  to  Hydrabad, 
or  Poona,  or  fall  back  for  protection  of  British  frontier  in 
the  direction  of  EUore,  or  Bellary. 

The  Peishwa,  on  11th  October,  solicited  the  reduction  of 
Soondoor.     A  force  was  accordingly  marched   from  Dharwar  to 

♦  Twenty«five  miles  east  of  Saugor. 

32 


498  MILITAEY    HISTORY    OF    THE  U817. 

Humpasagur,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Dalrymple,  followed  two 
days  after  by  Colonel  Munro.  On  the  20th,  the  force  was 
divided  into  two  parts  ;  one  was  placed  on  left  bank  of  the  river  in 
charge  of  the  sick  and  the  heavy  baggage,  while  the  other  crossed 
the  river  on  the  23rd.  It  was  here  joined  by  the  head-quarters, 
and  three  companies  of  2nd  battalion  of  Pioneers  from  Bellary. 

On  the  27th,  Munro  entered  the  valley  of  Soondoor,  when 
the  fort  surrendered,  and  was  occupied  by  a  British  garrison. 
The  force  immediately  returned  to  Humpasagur,  and  on  5th 
November  crossed  to  the  left  bank  of  the  Toongaboodra. 

On  the  7th,  Munro  delivered  over  command  to  Colonel 
Hewett,  with  orders  to  put  the  force  in  the  position  assigned  to 
the  reserve ;  cavalry  to  march  on  9th  November,  and  European 
flank  battalion,  artillery,  rifles,  and  pioneers  on  the  10th,  Native 
infantry  and  commissariat  on  the  11th.  Colonel  Munro  returned 
to  Dharwar.  General  Pritzler,  being  far  advanced  on  his  return 
from  Hydrabad,  was  to  assume  command. 

These  several  corps  proceeded  to  Chinnoor,  and  were  formed  on 
16th  November  into  the  Reserve  Division  of  the  Deccan  army. 

From  the  west  point  of  the  British  frontier  on  the  Toonga- 
boodra, a  chain  of  posts  was  established  along  the  river  till  its 
junction  with  the  Kistna  at  Moorkondah;  thence  to  Chintapilly, 
and  afterwards  along  the  ICast  Ghauts  to  Chilka  Lake,  a  distance 
of  850  miles. 

The  number  of  troops  employed  on  this  work  were  six  squad- 
rons of  dragoons,  six  of  Native  cavalry,  nine  battalions  of  Native 
infantry,  and  6,000  horse  and  foot  of  Mysore. 

The  4th  Division  had  barely  taken  up  its  position  for  the 
defence  of  the  Peishwa's  dominions,  when  the  Peishwa  showed 
clearly  that  he  was  hostile  to  us,  and  took  the  lead  by  attacking 
the  Residency  and  British  troops  at  Poona. 

Ameer  Khan  had,  following  the  example  of  Scindiah  and  the 
Nawab  of  Bhopal,  accepted  the  terms  offered  with  eagerness,  and 
proved  a  staunch  and  zealous  ally  to  us. 


1817.]  MADltAS    ENGINEEKS.  199 

The  Peishwa  having  assembled  an  army  in  a  menacing  posi- 
tion at  Poena,  Elphinstone  (Resident)  applied  to  General  Smith 
(4th  Division)  for  the  return  of  his  division.  Accordingly  the 
4th  Division  broke  up  from  its  position  early  in  November,  and 
reassembled  at  Fnoltamba  on  the  Godavery  on  the  4th,  where 
it  remained  till  the  6th,  when  it  continued  its  route  on  the 
capital.  General  Doveton,  on  receiving  reports  of  General 
Smith's  retrograde  movement,  countermanded  the  march  of  the 
battering  train  on  Mulkapore,  and  directed  the  engineers"  park 
and  department,  which  had  moved  from  Mulkapore  to  Changdeo 
to  join  him  above  the  Ghauts. 

Headquarters  of  2nd  Division  (Doveton)  marched  from 
Meiker  on  12th  November,  and  arrived  at  Jafferabnd  on  the 
loth.  They  were  here  joined  by  the  battering  train,  which 
countermarched  from  Suraroad  on  the  16th,  and  arrived  by  route 
ofAdjunta.  The  engineers' park  and  department  came  in  on 
the  16th  by  Jeypore  and  Koablee,  having  marched  from  Mulka- 
pore on  12th  November. 

On  4th  November,  Bajee  Row's  troops  attacked  the  Residency 
at  Poona,  and  Mr.  Elphinstone,  having  only  time  to  retire  by 
the  ford  of  the  Moola,  retreated  along  its  left  bank,  and  joined 
the  brigade  under  Colonel  Burr.  The  next  day  Colonel  Burr 
defeated  the  Peishwa,  inflicting  a  loss  of  oOO  killed  and  wounded, 
while  the  British  loss  was  only  eighty-six. 

The  4th  Division  reached  Ahmeduugger,  and  on  the  Sth  took 
the  pettah,  they  then  continued  their  march  to  Poona  ;  on  evening 
of  the  12th  the  light  troops  and  cavalry  moved  out  of  Kirkee  to 
meet  them,  and  took  up  ground  between  Kirkee  bridge,  and  a 
small  hill  on  the  left  of  Mootamoola. 

On  the  14th,  preparatory  movements  were  made  to  attack  the 
enemy  at  daylight  next  day.  The  ford  was  found  impracticable 
for  guns. 

On  the  15th,  the  Pioneers  set  to  work  on  the  ford. 

On  the    16th,  the   enemy    tried  to    prevent   work,   but   were 

32  • 


600  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1817. 

foiled,  and    the    left  wing,    under    Lieutenant- Colonel    Milnes, 
established  itself  on  the  right  bank. 

On  the  17th,  the  right  wing  crossed  at  the  Sangara  ford,  but, 
they  found  that  the  enemy  had  retreated  in  direction  of  the  Ghauts, 
south  of  Poona.  The  Peishwa,  with  Gokla  (his  commander-in- 
chief)  went  towards  Poorunder,  and  the  other  parts  of  the  army 
to  Singhur.  A  force  was  sent  in  pursuit,  and  succeeded  in 
capturing  fourteen  guns  at  foot  of  the  hill-fort  of  Singhur. 

The  Pindarries  were  cantoned  in  three  bodies,  under  Cheetoo, 
Kurreem  Khan,  and  Wasil  Mahomed.  They  designed  to  possess 
themselves  of  Islamnugger,  but  apprehended  the  hostility  of 
Bhopal,  as  also  the  nearness  of  the  British  forces.  Bhopal  had 
lately  entered  into  a  treaty  with  the  British  Government  to  deliver 
up  Goolgaon,  and  act  against  the  Pindarries.  The  Pindarries, 
were,  however,  encouraged  by  Scindiah. 

In  the  beginning  of  November,  the  Pindarries  were  in  a  line 
extending  from  Bhilsa  to  Shugawalpore,  north  of  Bhopal  : 
Wasil  Mahomed  on  the  left,  with  8,000  men  and  five  guns  ; 
Kurreem  Khan  and  Holkar  Shahee  in  centre,  8,000  men  and  five 
or  six  guns ;  and  Cheetoo  on  right,   10,000  men  and  ten  guns. 

The  Left  Division  of  the  Grand  army  arrived  at  Reillie  on 
10th  November,  and  opened  a  communication  with  Colonel 
Adams  at  Hoosingabad.  The  same  day  Hislop  reached  Hurdah, 
and  the  Guzerat  force  had  advanced  to  Dohud.*  Everything 
was  now  ready  for  the  combined  movements. 

Lord  Hastings  moved  to  prevent  the  Pindarries  penetrating 
north  or  east,  and  General  Donkin  was  ordered  to  advance  from 
Dholpore  in  a  south-westerly  direction  to  guard  left  bank  of  the 
Chumbul.  It  was  arranged  that  one  Madras  division  should 
penetrate  Malwa  upon  Ashta.  Another  was  to  move  by 
Oonchood  to  the  west,  while  Colonel  Adams  was  to  march  upon 
Resseen,  and  General  Marshall  from  Reillie,  west  on  Saugor  and 
Ratgurh. 

*  Or  Dawiid« 


1817.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  501 

On  14tb  November,  the  5th  Division  (Adams)  began  to  cross 
Nerbudda  at  Goondree  Ghaut,  near  Hoosingabad. 

Next  day,  3rd  Division  (Malcolm)  crossed  at  Buglatoor  Ghaut, 
and  at  Hinda. 

On  this  day,  Hislop  received  news  regarding  the  attack  at 
Poona,  while  at  Hurdah.  He  recalled  Sir  John  Malcolm,  the 
3rd  Division  was  halted,  and  Malcolm  was  placed  in  command 
of  the  Deccan  army  in  Malwa. 

Doveton  (2nd  Division)  was  ordered  to  send  his  engineers' 
park  and  battering  train,  and  Koyal  Scots  down  the  Berar  Ghauts 
to  Jypoorkoatly,  so  as  to  be  conveniently  situated  to  join  1st 
Division  in  the  event  of  siege  of  Asseerghur ;  and  two  days 
after,  this  reinforcement  was  directed  to  advance  to  Mulkapore. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Gahan  was  ordered  to  move  on  from  Sindkeir 
to  Nagpore,  while  Doveton  was  directed  to  reinforce  24th  Native 
Infantry,  which  left  Secunderabad  on  28th  October  for  Bussum, 
and  which  was  now  ordered  to  go  to  Nagpore.  Captain  Davies, 
who  had  been  detached  from  2nd  Division,  was  directed  to  join 
Smith  (4th  Division),  and  a  detachment  was  sent  off  under 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Deacon,  on  20th  November,  to  take  his  place 
by  Charwah,  Kundwah,  Kurgaum,  and  Scindwah  Ghaut. 

On  the  21st,  head-quarters  and  1  st  (Deccan)  Division  changed 
ground  to  Koolurdah,  and  Hindia  was  occupied. 

On  the  24th,  head-quarters  and  1st  Division  marched  south, 
and  next  day  encamped  at  Charwah.  Here  Hislop  received 
despatches  from  Lord  Hastings,  pressing  his  return  to  Malwa; 
and  at  the  same  time  the  4th  Division  (Smith),  and  Reserve 
(Pritzler),  were  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Resident  at  Poona. 

Doveton  (2nd  Division)  was  directed  to  summon  Asseerghur, 
and  to  lay  siege  to  it  in  event  of  refusal.  Hislop  at  once 
retraced  his  steps,  and  arrived  at  Hurdah  on  the  29th.  Next 
day  the  passage  of  the  Nerbudda  was  commenced  by  means  of 
large  flat  boats,  and  on  2nd  December  all  the  troops  were 
encamped  near  Nemawar, 


502  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  [1817. 

We  must  now  return  to  Nagpore  affairs. 

A  khillaat  arrived  at  Nagpore  from  the  Peishwa,  which  had 
been  despatched  shortly  after  the  Treaty  of  Poona.  But  as  the 
relations  between  the  English,  and  the  Peishwa  had  meantime 
changed  from  peaceful  to  hostile,  the  Resident,  Mr.  Jenkins, 
protested  against  its  reception  by  the  Raja,  as  inconsistent  with 
his  alliance  with  the  British  Government.  He  disregarded  these 
objections,  received  it  in  public  durbar,  and  proceeded  to  liis 
principal  camp,  west  of  the  town,  on  24th  November. 

Next  day,  the  Raja  took  up  a  position  very  threatening  to  the 
safety  of  the  Residency.  At  sunset  on  the  26th,  an  attack  was 
made.  At  daybreak  on  27th,  fire  recommenced.  About  10  a.m. 
the  screw  of  the  gun  on  the  smaller  Seetabnldee  Hill  was  dis- 
abled. The  Arabs  saw  their  advantage,  nud  carried  the  hill. 
They  turned  the  gun  on  the  other  hill,  and,  flushed  with  success, 
advanced  along  the  ridge  to  attack  the  remaining  point.  Captain 
Fitzgerald,  at  this  most  critical  time,  made  a  most  successful 
charge  on  an  immense  body  of  the  enemy's  horse.  The  guns  of 
the  enemy  were  abandoned,  and  turned  on  them  by  our  cavalry, 
and  their  well-directed  fire  kept  the  Mahrattas  at  a  distance. 
Two  guns  were  spiked,  and  the  remainder  dragged  back  into  the 
Residency  grounds.  Firing  was  now  recommenced  from  the  large 
hill.  A  tumbril  on  the  smaller  hill  exploded ;  a  party  from  the 
larger  hill  rushed  to  the  attack,  and  drove  the  Arabs  from  the 
post  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  recovering  our  own  guns  as 
well  as  capturing  two  others. 

The  tide  was  now  turned,  and  Appa  Sahib's  troops  gave  way 
on  all  sides.  The  Arabs  still  remained  in  force  to  the  north  east 
of  our  position,  till  a  brilliant  charge  was  made  on  them  by  Cornet 
Smith  with  a  troop  of  cavalry,  who  succeeded  in  dispersing  them, 
and  capturing  two  guns.  Our  troops  now  moved  down  from  the 
hill,  and  drove  the  enemy  from  all  the  surrounding  villages, 
securing  all  the  guns  not  previously  carried  off.  Our  force  in 
this  battle   of  Seetabuldee  consisted  of   1,500  men,  while  the 


1817J  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  50B 

BhonslaEajahad  10,000  infantry,  and  10,000  horse.  He  chiefly 
relied  on  3,000  or  4,000  Arabs,  who  always  behaved  with  great 
bravery.  Our  loss  was  333 ;  four  officers  killed,  and  seven 
wounded,  besides  Mr.  Sotheby  (a  civilian). 

Our  force  consisted  of  20th,  24th  Native  Infantry,  two  com- 
panies Resident's  escort,  three  troops  6th  Bengal  Cavalry,  and 
detachment  Madras  Artillery,  with  four  6-pounders.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Scot,  of  24th,  commanded. 

Troops  now  poured  into  Nagpore  from  every  quarter;  the  first 
detachment  arrived  on  29th  November,  under  Lieutenant- Colonel 
Gahan  ;  the  second,  under  Major  Pitman,  on  5th  December; 
and  General  Doveton  followed  with  the  2nd  Division,  and  entered 
on  12th  December  with  his  light  troops,  while  the  remainder 
came  in  two  days  after. 

Ensign  J.  Jenkins,  of  Madras  Engineers,  was  marching  with 
the  2nd  Division ;  he  was  attacked  with  fever,  and  died  at 
Akowla,  near  the  Poornah,  on  4th  December  1817. 

He  entered  the  service  on  11th  July  1815. 

Appa  Sahib  was  at  once  directed  to  deliver  himself  up,  and 
General  Doveton  advanced  in  order  of  battle  to  a  position  close 
to  the  Raja's  camp.  Appa  Sahib  rode  in  with  his  ministers,  and 
surrendered. 

The  movements  against  the  Pindarries  have  now  to  be 
detailed. 

The  3rd  Division  marched,  on  18th  November,  to  Ashta,  by 
the  Kurounee  Ghaut  (21st).  Pindarries  were  found  to  have 
moved  north.  Malcolm  resolved  to  pursue  them  quickly,  in 
communication  with  Colonel  Adams.  Colonel  Adams  marched 
to  Rasseen  on  the  22nd.  The  left  division  of  the  Grand  Army 
was,  on  18th  November,  near  Reillie,  and  was  to  march  by 
Saughur  and  Ratgurh  to  Basowda,  27th.  5th  Division  (Colonel 
Adams)  to  Beirseeah,  2Gth, 

Malcolm  established  a  post  at  Ashta,  and  on  the  21th  reached 
Mynepore. 


504  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [181T. 

The  fort  of  Talyne  surrendered  to  Captain  Grant,  with  Mysore 
Horse. 

The  3rd  Division  arrived  at  Talyne  *  on  the  26th. 

The  next  points  fixed  on  were  : — 

Left  Division,  Grand  army,  Ragooghur. 
fith  Division,  Deccan  army,  Eajghur. 
3rd  Division,  Soosneir. 

Scindiah  had  three  corps  in  the  field,  west  of  Malwa,  one 
under  Jeswunt  Row  Bhao,  in  Meywar  It  was  thought  Cheetoo 
would  fly  to  him  ;  and  Sir  J.  Malcolm  wrote  to  Jeswunt  Row 
objecting  to  his  reception. 

Scindiah's  other  corps  were  under  Amhajee  Punt,  and  Amrah 
Bhao  (between  the  Calee  Sindh,  and  the  Seprah). 

The  3rd  Division  left  Talyne  on  1  st  December,  and  on  crossing 

the  Calee  Sindh  at  Sarungpore,  Amhajee  Punt's  force  was  heard 

to  be  advancing  in  a  mutinous  state,  with  intent  to  go  to  Gwallior. 

Malcolm  insisted  on  their  baiting,  and  was  enabled  to  enforce 
his  orders. 

On  3rd  December,  a  part  of  3rd  Division  reached  Baugur, 
and  there  learnt  that  Cheetoo  had  turned  towards  Mehidpore,  and 
encamped  close  to  the  army  of  Mulhar  Row  Holkar. 

Malcolm  reached  Augur  on  the  4th.  On  the  Gth,  he  counter- 
marched to  Shajehanpore.  On  the  8th  arrived  at  Turiano,  and 
halted  till  the  10th.  On  the  11th  to  Ursooda,  three  miles  south 
of  Tappoor. 

The  1st  Division  was  at  Nemawar  on  2nd  December.  It 
marched  on  the  right  of  the  Calee  Sindh,  and  the  3rd  Division  on 
the  left. 

On  1 1th  December,  1st  Division  was  at  Duttana  Muttana,  and 
3rd  Division  at  Ursooda,  eight  miles  oft'. 

On  1 2th,  head-quarters,  1st  and  3rd  Divisions,  marched  past 
Ougein,  crossed  the  Seeprah  opposite  north-west  angle  of  the  city, 
and  encamped  on  left  bank  of  the  river.* 

*  North  of  Shugawalpore. 


IWJ  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  505 

On  15th  November  Mr.  Metcalfe  had  received  an  overture  from 
the  Regent  Tuolsee  Biiee,  offering  to  pluce  herself,  and  the  young 
ATulhar  Row  under  the  protection  of  the  British  Government. 
Soon  after  the  Peishwa's  flight  defection  spread,  and  the  impulse 
of  the  Sirdars  was  at  once  to  march  to  the  south,  and  rallv  round 
the  legitimate  head  of  the  Mahrattas.  The  Sirdars  suspected 
the  intrigue  with  the  English  ;  and  the  minister,  Tantea  Jog,  was 
placed  inclose  confinement.  Gunput  Row  (the  other  minister) 
was  left  nominally  in  charge  of  aff'airs,  but  the  real  power  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  Patan  Sirdars,  at  the  head  of  whom  was 
Ghufoor  Khan,  the  agent  of  Ameer  Khan,  and  Ramdeeu,  one 
of  the  most  considerable  Infantry  officers. 

The  3rd  Division,  under  Malcolm,  and  the  1st,  under  Hislop, 
met,  as  we  have  seen,  on  the  12th  December,  and  after  a 
halt  of  two  days  at  Ougein,  advanced  towards  Holkar's  camp. 
A  treaty  was  discussed  for  some  days,  tlie  two  armies  being 
within  fourteen  miles  of  each  other — Holkar's  at  Mehidpore, 
Hislop's  at  Punbehar,  north  of  Ougein. 

On  the  17th  the  Sirdars  seized  Gunput  Row  and  Toolsee 
Baee  ;  the  latter  was  carried  down  by  night  to  the  banks  of  the 
Seeprah  and  beheaded,  by  order  of  Ghufoor  Khan,  and  the 
Patans. 

On  the  '20th,  Hislop  arrived  to  within  seven  miles  of  Holkar's 
camp. 

On  the  2 1  St,  he  again  advanced.  His  march  was  opposed  by 
Holkar's  cavalry.  On  approaching  Mehidpore,  the  enemy  were 
discovered  drawn  up  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  Seeprah,  as  if 
intending  to  dispute  the  passage  of  the  river. 

A  reconnaissance  was  mode  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Blacker, 
who  ascertained  there  was  ground  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river  within  its  bed,  for  the  troops  to  form  on  ;  that  they  would 
be  completely  sheltered  from  the  enemy;  and  that,  after  ascend- 
ing the  bank,  they  would  only  have  to  advance  300  yards  to  the 
enemy's  guns.     The  enemy's  right  was  protected  by  a  ravine,  the 


506  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1817. 

left  by  a  slight  bend  of  the  river,  and  a  deserted  village,  Sitawud. 
Hislop  placed  his  baggage  in  Dorlait,  on  the  right  bank;  then, 
■while  Malcolm  drove  off  enemy's  horse,  a  few  light  troops  were 
pushed  across  the  ford,  followed  by  fourteen  horse-artillery 
guns,  and  a  troop  of  rocketers.  The  passage  was  effected  without 
much  difficulty,  and  the  horse-artillery  opened  fire.  The  enemy 
were  so  superior  in  artillery  that  in  a  short  time  our  guns  were 
disabled.  Four  guns  of  foot-artillery  from  the  opposite  side  of 
river,  a  little  nearer  Mehidpore,  opened  fire,  whence  they  enfiladed 
the  enemy's  left,  advanced  between  Silawud,  and  the  river. 

1st  brigade,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Scot,  attacked  enemy's 
left. 

Light  brigade,  under  vlajor  Bowen,  formed  the  centre,  and 
^nd  brigade,  under  Captain  Hare,  the  left. 

The  cavalry  was  to  operate  against  enemy's  right. 

1st  brigade  to  make  main  attack,  led  by  Sir  John  Malcolm, 

The  enemy's  artillery  was  extremely  numerous  and  well  served, 
and  our  loss  was  severe.  The  troops  advanced  with  great 
steadiness. 

Holkar's  artillery  stood  to  their  guns  till  bayonetted,  but  his 
infantry  gave  way  as  soon  as  the  guns  were  carried.  The 
cavalry  turned  the  enemy's  right,  and  made  great  slaughter  of 
the  infantry.  Holkar's  camp  directly  opposite  Mehidpore,  north 
of  the  field  of  battle,  with  all  the  artillery  (63  guns),  was  soon  in 
our  hands ;  but  pursuit  being  continued,  an  attempt  was  made  to 
rally,  and  they  got  some  guns  together  to  cover  their  retreat 
across  the  river,  four  miles  lower  down  Upon  this,  Hislop 
ordered  his  line  to  be  re-formed  ;  the  guns  were  soon  taken,  and 
the  feeble  resistance  overpowered,  by  a  rapid  advance  of  Sir  John 
Malcolm  with  cavalry  and  a  light  detachment.  Our  camp  was 
formed  on  the  field  of  battle,  while  Sir  J.  Malcolm  continued  the 
pursuit,  and  Captain  Grant,  with  the  Mysore  Horse,  moved 
down  the  left  bank  of  the  river  Immense  booty  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  Mvsore  Horse. 


1817.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  507 

Our  loss  was  174  killed,  and  004  wounded. 
Amongst  them  three  officprs  killed,  and  thirty-five  wounded. 
Hislop  remained  a  week  at  Mehidpore  to  establish   hospital  and 
depot,  while  Sir  John   Malcolm  followed   up  the  victory  with    a 
light  division. 

The  Engineer  officers  present  at  Mehidpore  were :  — 
Lieutenant  Anderson,  Madras  Engineers. 

,.  Elliott,  Royal  Engineers,  wounded. 

„  Purton,  Madras  Engineers. 

There  were  three  companies  of  the  Madras  Pioneers  present, 
under  the  command  of  Captain  McCraith. 

The  Commander-in  Chief  thus  acknowledged  their  services  :  — 
"  The  conduct  of  the  Pioneers  under  Captain  McCraiih  was 
higldy  meritorious  and  essentially  useful." 

Tlie  Bombay  army  arrived  at  Rutlamnugger  on  y4th  December. 
It  had  been  ordered  also  to  march  to  Ougein,  but  its  march  had 
been  arrested  by  the  Bombay  Government,  owing  to  the 
defection  at  Nagpore. 

Sir  W.  G.  Keir,  with  the  Guzerat  Division,  commenced  his 
march  from  Baroda,  on  Ougein,  on  4th  December;  and  on  the 
1 3th  encamped  at  Dohud.  Here  Keir  was  recalled  by  the 
Bombay  Government  to  within  sixteen  miles  of  Baroda.  He 
counter-marched  two  stages. 

On  the  I  7th  he  received  fresh  orders,  and  returned  to  Dohud 
on  the  inth. 

On  the  24th  he  reached  Rutlamnugger  (twenty-five  miles  from 
Mehidpore). 

The  force  with  which  Lord  Hastings  was  present  suff'ered 
greatly  from  cholera  The  division  was  accordingly  moved,  on 
10th  November,  from  the  Sindh  to  Erich,  on  the  right  batik  of 
the  Betwah. 

Two  of  the  forces  of  Pindarries  (Kureem  Khan  and  Wasil 
Mahomed)  fled  in  the  direction  of  Gwallior,  and  Lord  Hastings 
hastened  to  return  to  the  Sindh. 


508  MILITAEY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1817. 

The  left  division  Grand  army  (Marshall)  overtook  thePindar- 
ries  at  Beechee  Tal,  and  dispersed  them.  General  Donkin  (right 
division)  on  17th  December,  came  up  with  their  baggage,  and 
took  it,  as  well  as  the  wife  and  family  of  Kureem  Khan.  ThePin- 
darries,  finding  all  access  to  the  Chumbal  opposed,  turned  to  the 
south  from  Bauwleah  on  the  16th,  and  directed  tlieir  course  to 
Sherghur  and  Gogal  Chapra ;  but  Colonel  Adams  arrived  at 
Gogal  Chapra  on  the  15th.  They  were  pursued  and  cut  up,  and 
the  two  durrahs  continued  their  flight  towards  Augur.  Finding 
that  Holkar  had  been  defeated,  and  was  retiring,  they  turned 
back  towards  Chuppergutlah,  on  the  Oornuddy,  seven  miles 
west  of  Soosneir  ;  thence  they  crossed  the  Chumbal,  and  joined 
the  remains  of  Holkar's  army. 

Cheetoo  had  thrown  himself  in  rear  of  Holkar's  army. 
Previous  to  2oth  November  he  was  at  SingoUee  (twenty-five 
miles  south-west  of  Kotah),  and  then  proceeded  by  invitation  to 
Jawud 

The  scene  of  operations  was  now  confined  to  Mewar,  where 
Cheetoo  had  originally  retired,  and  whither  the  remains  of 
Kureem's  and  Wasil's  forces  had  fled.  A  new  plan  to  surround 
them  was  devised.  Colonel  Adams  moved  down  on  Gungrar  via 
Ratghur  Patun  to  hem  them  in  on  the  east.  General  Donkin  re- 
crossed  the  Chumbal  to  Shahpoora,  west  of  the  Bunas,  to  enclose 
them  on  the  north.  General  Brown,  from  centre  division  at 
Lanaree,  was  despatched  with  a  light  force,  and  directed  to  march 
by  Shahabad,  and  to  south  of  Haraotee,  so  as  to  be  available  to  the 
north  of  Colonel  Adams.  Meantime,  divisions  from  the  Deccan, 
under  Hislop  and  Malcolm,  as  well  as  the  army  from  Guzerat, 
under  Sir  W.  Keir,  had  become  available  in  the  same  quarter. 

We  must  now  leave  the  Pindarries  for  the  present,  and  return 
to  the  Deccan,  where  events  of  great  importance  occurred  near 
Nagpore. 

The  enemy,  on  15th  December,  occupied  a  position  with  their 
right   flank    on    the    Rajah's   arsenal    (two  enclosed  squares    of 


1817J  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  509 

masonry) ;  their  left  rested  on  village  of  Babool  Kairah,  and  was 
also  defended  by  a  heavy  battery,  and  their  whole  line  strengthened 
by  a  pettah  in  their  rear. 

Our  left  brigade  was  ordered  to  storm  the  arsenal  (sappers  and 
miners  in  this  brigade). 

The  sappers  and  miners  consisted  of: — 

3  sergeants   i 

3  corporals    -Europeans. 
28  privates      ) 

3  havildars   ] 

2  naigues      [Natives. 
28  privates     i 

Total     ...     67 

Our  centre  brigade  was  to  attack  enemy's  centre,  and  occupy 
Sukadurree,  a  pagoda  and  garden.  &c.,  and  then  to  effect  com- 
munication with  the  left  brigade. 

The  cavalry  and  right  brigade  were  to  attack  the  enemy's  left. 

On  the  IGth,  the  enemy  abandoned  their  position,  with  the 
exception  of  the  arsenal,  and  retired  to  a  position  about  a  mile 
in  rear  of  their  first  line,  with  their  right  resting  on  the  Naga 
Nuddee,  and  their  left  to  the  south-east  of  Sukadurree,  having  a 
large  lank  and  suburbs  in  front  of  their  left  centre. 

Tlie  arsenal  was  occupied  by  our  troops  with  but  little 
opposition.  The  batteries  on  the  enemy's  right  (nine  guns)  were 
stormed  by  right  and  centre  brigades ;  and  the  reserve  carried 
the  battery  near  the  tank  (eight  guns).  The  cavalry  attacked 
the  enemy's  left  flank  (six  guns),  and  pursued  them  for  seven 
miles. 

The  battery  near  the  arsenal,  of  fourteen  guns,  was  captured 
by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Scot's  brigade. 

After  the  battle,  6,000  Nagpore  Infantry  occupied  the  city, 
and  it  became  necessary  to  dislodge  them. 

On  December  19th,  1817,  the  first  advance  was  made  from 


510  MILITAEY   HISTORY    OF    THE  Li8i7. 

Seetabuldee  Hill  to  a  point  where  a  battery  for  two  howitzers 
for  bombarding  the  city,  and  an  intrenchment,  were  constructed. 
This  work  was  1,000  yards  from  the  Palace,  and  was  completed 
in  four  hours. 

December  20th. — The  second  advance  was  made  along  the 
tank*  bank.  The  operation  was  performed  with  difficulty, 
owing  to  the  Pioneers,  who  could  not  be  brought  forward  with 
materials  to  complete  it,  until  the  European  sappers  and  miners 
had  intrenched  themselves. 

Lieutenant  Lake,  in  his  Sieges  of  the  Madras  Army,  says  : 
"This  is  the  only  instance  of  misbehaviour  of  the  Madras 
Pioneers,  who  have  long  been  distinguished  for  their  cool,  steady 
bravery ;  and  on  one  or  two  trying  occasions,  in  which  I  had 
myself  an  opportunity  of  seeing  them  employed,  they  have 
sustained  that  character  in  a  way  that  could  not  be  surpassed  by 
any  troops  in  the  world.  The  present  can  only  be  accounted  for 
by  supposing  that  they  were  new  to  their  work,  unpractised,  and 
unaccustomed  to  the  Engineer  officers  under  whom  they  were 
employed." 

The  east  bank  was  intrenched,  and   battery  No.    1,   for  four, 
guns,  completed.     In  this  operation  an  Engineer  ofiBcer,  Ensign 
Nattes,  was  wounded. 

During  the  night,  battery  No.  'I,  for  five  guns,  was  completed. 

On  the  21st,  operations  were  suspended,  owing  to  negotiations. 

December  22nd. — The  trenches  were  perfected;  and  during 
the  evening,  battery  No.  2  opened  on  the  defences  of  the 
wall. 

December  23rd. — The  breach  of  the  Jooma  Durwasee  was 
practicable.     A  great  deal  of  rain  fell  this  night. 

December  24th. — An  attack  was  ordered  to  be  made  on  the 
Jooma  Durwasee  at  12. 

Colonel  Scot  and  Major  Pitman  were  to  make  simultaneous 

•  JTunma  Talaoi 


C   e.  ,  -* 


^.-:",r.<^ip.c::^';ry 


1817J  MADRAS    ENGINEEES.  511 

attacks,  the  former  to  occupy  the  Toolsee  Bagh,  and  the  latter  a 
large  building.  The  column  for  the  storm  of  the  breach  consisted 
of  twenty-three  European  sappers,  one  company  of  the  Eoyal 
Scots,  and  five  companies  of  Native  Infantry,  with  pioneers 
carrying  intrenching  tools,  &:c. 

Colonel  Scot  and  ^Nlajor  Pitman  succeeded  in  occupying  the 
positions  assigned  to  them,  but  the  attack  on  the  breach  failed. 

Lieutenant  Davies,  of  Engineers,  had  examined  the  breach, 
and  finding  it  practicable,  was  anxious  to  establish  a  lodgment 
on  the  tower.  U'he  morning  was  particularly  favourable,  as  it 
rained  very  heavily,  and  Lieutenant  Davies  obtained  leave  of  the 
General  (but  not  without  repeated  solicitations),  to  make  the 
attempt  with  details  of  Europeans,  and  some  sepoys.  The  party 
was  accordingly  drawn  up,  with  sappers  and  miners,  consisting 
of  about  thirty  Europeans  in  front,  supported  by  one  company 
Royal  Scots,  and  five  companies  of  Native  Infantry.  The  Arabs, 
owing  to  the  rain,  had  retired  from  the  gateway  to  the  inner 
houses.  Lieutenant  Davies,  with  his  party,  passed  unperceived 
to  the  breach,  and  had  ascended  it,  when  the  alarm  was  given, 
and  the  Arabs  opened  a  smart  fire  on  the  head  of  the  party.  This 
checked  our  advance  a  little,  several  sappers  and  miners  fell ;  and 
our  main  body  not  having  appeared,  the  Arabs  gained  ground, 
and  the  fire  increased  so  much,  that  scarcely  a  man  of  ours 
escaped  unhurt.  They  pushed  their  advantage,  and  compelled 
the  whole  party  to  fall  back  with  considerable  loss.  The  officer 
commanding  the  Royal  Scots  was  killed  inside  the  breach,  the 
senior  engineer.  Lieutenant  Davies,  severely  wounded,  and  a 
large  proportion  of  sappers  and  miners  disabled. 

After  this  failure,  it  was  determined  to  wait  lor  the  battering- 
guns,  and  in  the  meantime  the  Arabs  negotiated,  and  evacuated 
the  city,  receiving  all  their  arrears  of  pay.  A  British  officer 
was  sent  to  conduct  them  in  safety  to  the  frontier  of  Khan- 
deish. 

The  Engineer  stores  consisted    merely    of  1,400  sand-bags, 


512  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  L1817. 

and  the  only  intrenching  tools  were  such  as  could  be  collected 
from  the  Line  regiments. 

The  party  of  Europeans  should  have  been  strong  and  fresh. 
They  had  been  on  duty  twenty-four  hours,  and  exposed  the  whole 
of  a  cold  night  in  wet  trenches,  to  heavy  rain.  This  is  sufficient 
to  account  for  the  failure. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  from  General  Doveton 
to  the  Adjutant-General: — 

"  I  avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  also  of  bringing  to  His 
Excellency  the  Commander-in-Chief's  favourable  notice,  the 
exemplary  conduct  and  exertions  of  the  Corps  of  Sappers  and 
Miners,  of  the  detachment  of  Foot  Artillery,  during  the  several 
operations  against  Nagpore^  subsequent  to  the  action  of  the  16th. 
Had  it  not  been  for  the  uncommon  exertions  of  Lieutenants 
Pavies  and  Nattes,  and  of  the  men  of  the  former  of  these  corps, 
we  should  never  have  been  able  to  carry  on  our  approaches  in 
the  rapid  manner  they  were.  Their  consequent  fatigue  and 
exertions  were  therefore  proportionately  great,  and  prove  to  my 
entire  conviction  that  this  particular  arm  only  requires  an 
adequate  increase  to  render  the  most  essential  service  to  the 
public  interest." 

On  the  30th  December  the  Guzerat  army  efiected  a  junction 
with  the  head-quarters  of  the  army  of  the  Deccan,  and  the  united 
force  advanced  on  Mundisore  in  support  of  Sir  John  Malcolm. 

Holkar's  power  had  been  completely  broken.  The  minister, 
Tantea  Jog,  came  into  Malcolm's  camp  at  Mundisore  on  1st 
January  1818.  A  treaty  was  concluded,  and  Mulhar  Row  (with 
Gunput  Eow,  Ghufoor  Khan,  and  the  principal  Sirdars),  came 
in,  and  placed  himself  under  the  protection  of  the  British 
army. 

After  the  remnant  of  the  forces  of  Kureem  and  Wasil  had 
effected     their   escape  through    Haraotee*   to    Mewar   early   in 

*  A  district  of  Ajmeer,  25^  to  26'  N.  Lat.  N.W.  of  the  Chumbul. 


1«17-18.]  MADEAS   ENGINEERS.  513 

January,  Colonel  Adams  was  at  Giingrar,  General  Donkin  to 
north  of  Mewar,  while  General  Brown  was  advancing  to  Ram- 
poora.  General  Keir  was  despatched  from  Mundisore,  north- 
west, to  co-operate  against  Cheetoo,  or  any  of  the  others. 
Harassed  by  Keir,  the  marauders  endeavoured  to  retrace  their 
steps  to  Malwah,  and  the  valley  of  Nerbudda. 

Cheetoo  effected  his  object  by  passing  through  a  most  difficult 
country  south  of  Mewar. 

He  reappeared  near  Dhar.  In  this  movement  he  lost  his 
baggage  and  many  horses. 

The  wreck  of  Kurreem's  force  rejoined  Wasil's,  and  both  were 
driven  to  attempt  a  return  to  Malwa.  After  having  rounded 
Hislop's  camp  at  Mundisore,  they  proceeded  east  (thinking  no 
British  force  in  their  neighbourhood),  crossed  the  Chumbul,  and 
bivouacked  at  Kotree  on  the  Kalee  Sindh.  Colonel  Adams  was 
lying  at  Gungrar  on  13th  January.  He  detached  5th  Bengal 
Cavalry  to  give  them  a  night  surprise.  Major  Clark  fell  in  with 
them  an  hour  before  daylight.  He  was  undiscovered,  and 
completely  surrounded  them  on  all  sides.  The  whole  body  was 
dispersed,  and  many  leaders  of  note  fell  on  the  field.  After  this, 
the  Pindarries  were  so  harassed  by  Colonel  Adams,  and  General 
Marshall,  that  they  were  unable  to  keep  their  followers 
together. 

Before  15th  February  1818,  most  of  the  chiefs  had  surrendered 
themselves,  and  the  forces  of  Kureem  Khan  and  Wasil  Mahomed 
were  annihilated. 

Cheetoo  had  hitherto  avoided  a  rencounter  with  the  British  in 
the  field,  but  on  25th  January  he  was  heard  of  at  Kunnoad"^  by 
Colonel  Heath,  who  commanded  at  Hindia. 

A  party  was  sent  out,  and  utterly  dispersed  his  force.  After 
this,  Cheetoo  wandered  about  Malwa  with  200  followers. 

His  end  was  tragical.     Having  joined  Appa  Sahib,  he  passed 

•  Twenty-two  miles  distant  from  Hindia.    uOig 3"]  '^tovJ 

33 


514  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1818. 

the  rainy  season  of  1818  in  Mohadeo  Eauze,  and  upon  that 
chiefs  expulsion  in  February  1819,  accompanied  him  to  Asseer- 
ghur.  Being  refused  admittance,  he  sought  refuge  in  the  jungle. 
He  was  missed  for  some  days  afterwards  ;  at  last  his  horse  was 
discovered  grazing  near  the  margin  of  the  forest ;  at  no  great 
distance  were  found  clothes  clotted  with  blood,  and,  further  on, 
fragments  of  bones ;  and,  at  last,  his  head  entire,  with  the 
features  in  a  state  to  be  recognized. 

The  2nd  Division  (Doveton)  broke  up  from  Nagpore  on 
22nd  January  1818,  and  proceeded  by  slow  marches  west, 
through  the  valley  of  Berar  by  Ellichpore.  In  their  progress 
Gawilghur  and  Narnulla  (hill  forts)  were  summoned,  and 
surrendered. 

The  Division  then  entered  Khandeish,  and  reached  Outran  on 
20th  February,  where  they  awaited  the  1st  Division. 

The  1st  and  3rd  (as  we  have  already  seen)  had  crossed  the 
Nerbudda  and  entered  Malwa  in  December,  and  shortly  after 
(21st)  defeated  army  of  Holkar  at  Mehidpore. 

The  treaty  of  Mundisore  was  negotiated  by  Sir  John  Malcolm. 
All  Holkar's  possessions  in  Khandeish  were  ceded  to  the 
English,  and  orders  for  surrender  of  the  different  places 
given  to  Sir  T.  Hislop,  who  returned  with  the  1st  Division  to  the 
Deccan. 

The  operations  of  the  4th  Division,  and  the  Reserve  were 
unconnected  with  those  of  the  divisions  in  Malwa. 

The  Peishwa,  after  his  defeat  at  Pooua  on  16th  November, 
fled  in  direction  of  Sattara,  to  carry  off  the  family  of  Raja  of 
Sattara  from  Wusota. 

Towards  end  of  November,  General  Smith  (4th  Division)  went 
in  pursuit. 

On  the  29th  he  forced  the  passage  of  the  Salpaghat,  leading  to 
the  highlands,  in  which  the  Kistna  rises.  Gokia,  with  the 
Peishwa's  cavalry,  hovered  on  the  line  of  march,  but  by  means 
of  horse  artillery,  which  opened  on  them  with   great  effect,  the 


1818.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  515 

horsemen  were  compelled  to  disappear.  Nothing  of  interest 
occurred  in  this  long  and  arduous  pursuit.  The  Peishwa,  pass- 
ing Sattara,  went  as  far  south  as  Poosasaolee,  then  east  to 
Pundepore,  then  north-west,  and  passing  half-way  between  Poona 
and  Seroor,  moved  north  on  Wuttoor.  Here  he  was  joined  by 
Trimbuckjee  Dainglia. 

General  Smith  followed  close,  arriving  at  Punderpore  8th 
December,  two  days  after  the  Peishwa  had  left.  The  General 
then  moved  to  Seroor,  recruited  his  cattle,  and  resumed  the 
pursuit  on  22nd  December,  entering  the  valley  of  the  Godavery 
by  Nimboo  Deora  Ghaut. 

The  Peishwa  was  still  near  the  strong  forth  of  Jooneer*  on 
26th  December,  when  General  Smith  had  advanced  to  Hunmunt- 
gaum.  The  Peishwa  then  attempted  to  gain  Nassick,  but 
General  Smith  was  gaining  fast  from  the  east,  and  the  Peishwa 
had  scarcely  descended  the  valley  of  the  Pheira  on  the  27th, 
when  he  heard  that  General  Smith  had  passed  Sungumneer, 
The  Peishwa  then  moved  to  Kootool,  and  re-ascending  the 
table-land,  returned  to  Wuttoor  on  the  28th,  and  thence 
south  on  road  to  Poona.  Colonel  Burr,  commanding  at  Poona, 
thinking  the  Peishwa  was  going  to  attack,  asked  for  reinforce- 
ment from  Seroor. 

The  detachment  sent  from  Seroor  consisted  of  detail  Madras 
Artillery,  with  two  6-pounders,  2nd  Bombay  Native  Infantry, 
300  strong,  and  250  Auxiliary  Horse,  commanded  by  Captain 
Staunton.  They  got  as  far  as  Korygaum,  on  the  Indur- 
warry,  at  10  a.m.,  1st  January  1818,  and  were  there  attacked 
by  the  whole  of  the  Peishwa's  army.  They  took  post 
in  the  village,  and  repulsed  all  their  efforts  with  the  greatest 
gallantry. 

The  principal  assailants  were  Arabs,  about  3,000  in  number, 

*  Fifty  miles  north  of  Poona. 

83  • 


516  MILITAEY   HISTOEY    OF    THE  [1818. 

who  fought  in  the  most  determined  manner,  but  they  were  met 
by  a  resolution  even  greater  than  their  own.  The  fight  lasted 
all  day,  until  about  9  p.m.,  when  Staunton  was  enabled  to  occupy 
the  position  in  the  village  previously  held  by  the  Arabs,  He 
remained  at  Korygaum  the  whole  of  the  2nd,  and  at  7  p.m. 
retreated  to  Seroor. 

There  were  only  eight  officers  with  the  detachment,  including 
two  assistant  surgeons. 

Captain   Staunton,   2nd  of   1st  Bombay    Native    Infantry, 

commanding. 
Lieutenant  Adjutant  Patterson,   2nd  of  1st  Bombay  Native 

Infantry,  wounded  (died  of  his  wounds). 
Lieutenant  Connellan,  wounded. 
Lieutenant  Jones. 
Assistant- Surgeon  Wingate,  killed. 
Lieutenant  Chisholm,  Madras  Artillery,  killed. 
Assistant-Surgeon  Wylie         ,,  ,, 

Lieutenant  Swanston,  Auxiliary  Horse,  wounded. 

The  last-named  officer  belonged  to  Madras  Establishment,  and 
was  the  same  who  was  with  the  Madras  Pioneers  at  the  capture 
of  the  Mauritius  in  1810. 

The  actual  numbers  of  our  force  were — 

Artillery  ...     26;  of  these  12  killed  and  8  wounded. 

Native  Infantry,  550          „         50        ,,        105        „ 
Auxiliary  Horse,  260         „         62        „       100 


Total     836         „       124        „       213 

Bajee  Row  ascended  a  second  time  the  table-land,  and  con- 
tinued his  flight  south  east,  through  Poosasaolee  to  Meritch. 

In  the  meantime,  General  Pritzler  was  between  Peergaum  and 
Pundepore,  on  the  Bheema.  He  immediately  moved  west. 
Finding  that  the  enemy  had  ascended  the  Ghauts,  he  followed, 
and  passed  Salpaghat  on  Gth  January.     Next  day  he  fell  in  with 


181BJ  MADE  AS   ENGINEERS.  517 

the  rear-guard,  and  attacked  it.  Pursuit  was  continued  to  Poosa- 
saolee  and  Meritch,  and  thence  across  the  Kistna  by  the  ford  of 
Erroor. 

Peishwa  went  as  far  south  as  Gokauk,  on  the  Gutpurba,  and 
endeavoured  to  open  correspondence  with  the  Eaja  of  Mysore, 
but  failed;  and  on  1 5th  January  turned  east  from  Gokauk,  and 
recrossed  the  Kistna  at  Gugulla ;  diverging  thence  to  west, 
he  marched  on  Meritch,  thus  circumventing  General  Pritzler, 
as  he  had  before  done  General  Smith.  But  he  was  hard 
pressed. 

On  J 7th  January,  General  Pritzler's  cavalry  had  a  "  brush" 
with  the  Mahratta  army,  and  caused  it  great  loss. 

While   General   Pritzler   was   tracking   the  Peishwa,  General 
Smith  prepared  to  move  south  with  a  force  lightly  equipped. 
He  started  for  Seroor  on  8th  January. 

On  the  12th,  he  was  near  Fultun,  and  then  moved  south  on 
Malwallee. 

On  2 1  St  January,  he  heard  of  the  enemy  being  in  full  march  to 
Meritch.  General  Smith  was  at  Hingungaum,  and  immediately 
marched  to  the  south-east  of  Meritch. 

Next  day,  he  arrived  ^at  Oogar  on  Kistna,  a  little  above  the 
town. 

At  Meritch  the  Peishwa  crossed  the  Kistna,  and  made  a  feint 
of  descending  into  the  Konkan  by  Amba  Ghaut,  but  gave  up  this 
design  and  continued  his  flight  up  right  bank ;  while  General 
Smith  followed  on  the  other  side.  The  pursuit  was  close;  but 
the  enemy  managed,  by  a  rapid  march  from  Sattara  on  the  28tb, 
to  cross  the  river  and  clear  Salpaghat,  with  the  loss  of  part  of 
his  rear-guard.  On  moving  forward  to  the  Bore  Ghaut,  he  was 
cannonaded  by  a  lorce  under  Colonel  Boles,  and  fled  east, 
through  Fultun  to  Punderpore,  and  afterwards  to  Shohipore. 
Here  he  halted.  Meantime,  General  Smith  determined  to  lay 
siege  to  Sattara,  and  wait  for  General  Pritzler. 

The  place  surrendered  ;  it  was  taken  possession  of  on  1 1  th 


518  MILITARY  HISTORY    OF    THE  [1818. 

February,  and  the  standard  of  Sevajee  raised  over  the  ramparts. 
After  this,  Smith,  in  concert  with  Pritzler,  formed  a  light 
division,  with  which,  on  13th  February,  he  moved  to  east  en 
route  to  Punderpore.  Arriving  at  Yellapoor  on  the  19th,  he 
heard  that  Bajee  Row  had  left  Sholapore,  and  was  marching  due 
west.  General  Smith  marched  to  Punderpore,  but  heard  then 
that  the  Peishwa  was  at  Kurkumbha,  unconscious  of  any  British 
force  being  near.  General  Smith  crossed  the  Beemaat  Kerowlee, 
and  pushed  on  with  all  his  cavalry  and  horse  artillery.  At  8.30 
he  heard  the  State  kettle-drums  of  the  Peishwa  beat.  Gokla, 
seeing  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  escape  without  sacrificing  his 
baggage,  determined  to  risk  an  action.  General  Smith  had  two 
squadrons  H.Al.'s  22nd  Dragoons,  2nd  and  7th  Madras  Cavalry, 
and  a  troop  of  Horse  Artillery.  Gokla  was  killed  in  the  engage- 
ment, and  the  whole  of  his  camp  and  baggage  fell  into  our 
hands,  as  well  as  the  person  and  family  of  the  Sattara  Raja. 
Bajee  Row  made  off  with  his  personal  guards  on  horseback. 

This  action  was  fought  at  Ashtee*  on  20th  February. 

The  routed  host  fled  north,  towards  Gopergaum  and  Khan- 
deish.  The  daily  fall  of  the  Peishwa's  forts  before  General 
Pritzler,  made  the  cause  of  the  Peishwa  hopeless. 

On  20th  February,  Pritzler  appeared  before  Singhur,  and 
immediately  invested  it.  The  main  body  took  up  its  ground  to 
south  of  the  fort,  except  a  small  party  sent  to  invest  the  north  side. 

Singhur  is  fifteen  miles  south  of  Poona,  on  a  mountain,  the 
west  extremity  of  one  of  the  ranges  of  hills  running  between 
Poonah,  and  the  Neerah  river.  It  is  1,000  yards  long,  and  800 
yards  wide,  of  irregular  shape.  The  Poonah  Gate  is  the  only 
approach  on  north  side,  and  consists  of  three  separate  inclosures. 
The  garrison  consisted  of  1,200  men.  The  place  was  at  once 
reconnoitred,  and  it  was  determined  to  establish  a  mortar 
battery  on  the  east  hill — 800  yards  distant. 

*  Near  the  Godavery,  40  miles  S.  by  E.  of  Jaulna. 


1818.]  MADEAS   ENGINEEES.  5l9 

On  22nd  and  28rd,  materials  were  collected,  and  one  mortar 
and  one  howitzer  were  placed  in  position  ;  as  also  four  mortars 
and  three  howitzers,  under  cover  of  a  hill  south-east  of  the 
fort. 

On  2'Srd  morning  a  reconnoissance  was  made  on  west  side, 
and  possession  taken  of  an  eminence  in  that  quarter,  on  which  a 
two-gun  battery  was  to  be  erected.  Ground  between  west  and 
east  posts  was  also  reconnoitred,  and  an  eligible  point  discovered 
for  a  breaching  battery. 

On  23rd  night,  a  road  was  made  from  the  park  to  west  post 
East  post  was  enlarged,  and  guns  placed  in  battery. 

24th. — Employed  in  making  a  road  to  centre  hill  post- 

25th. — The  carriages  of  the  12-pounders  broke  after  a  few 
rouuds,  but  were  replaced  in  the  course  of  the  day. 

25th,  at  night,  battery  at  the  west  post  was  enlarged  for 
two  6-pounders,  and  the  breaching  battery  intended  for  three 
18- pounders  was  commenced,  and  two-thirds  finished. 

26th. — Breaching  battery  for  two  18-pounders  was  finished, 
and  armed. 

27th. — A  further  reconnaissance  was  made,  and  a  spot  to 
south-east  was  fixed  on  for  two  additional  18-pounders,  to  assist 
in  making  the  breach. 

27th. — New  batteries  for  two  18-pounders  nearly  constructed. 

28th. — New  batteiy  completed,  and  opened  fire  10  am. 

29th — Centre  post  breaching  battery  was  completed  for  three 
guns.  The  working  parties  usually  consisted  of  100  Europeans, 
200  sepoys,  and  100  to  260  pioneers. 

1st  March — About  9  a.m.,  a  white  flag  was  hoisted  by  the 
garrison,  and  two  deputies  were  sent  to  the  British  camp  to 
negotiate. 

They  returned  with  articles  of  capitulation.  As  no  reply  was 
received,  the  breaching  batteries  re  opened  shortly  after  noon. 
About  3  P.M.  a  messenger  arrived,  stating  that  agents,  vested 
with  full  powers  to  treat,  would  be  immediately  despatched,  and 


520  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1818. 

they  arrived  between  4  and  5  ;  but  articles  could  not  be 
arranged,  and  a  second  communication  took  place.  Meantime 
fire  was  kept  up  partially  from  our  batteries. 

March  8rd. — The  batteries,  except  the  east  one,  opened  about 
8  A.M.  A  third  party  arrived  from  the  fort,  and  terms  were 
finally  arranged. 

The  Engineers  present  were  : — 

Captain  Nutt,  Bombay. 

Lieutenant  Grant,  Madras. 

Lieutenant  McLeod,  Bombay. 

Lieutenant  Athill,  Bombay. 

In  Lake's  Sieges  of  the  Madras  Army,  Lieutenant  McLeod 
is  stated  to  belong  to  the  Madras  Engineers,  but  this  is  a 
mistake. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  requested  "that  Captain  Nutt  of 
Bombay  Engineers,  and  Lieutenant  Grant,  of  Madras  Engineers, 
will  accept  his  thanks  and  cordial  approval  of  their  zealous  and 
valuable  services  during  the  siege." 

General  Pritzler  then  attacked  Vizierghur  and  Poorundur, 
which  were  taken,  after  two  days,  on  1  5th  March.  After  this, 
Wundun,  Chundur,  Nundgara,  Wussuntghur,  Kumalgurh, 
Pandoogurh,  and  Kalinga  surrendered  as  soon  as  the  army 
appeared  before  them. 

General  Pritzler,  on  31st  March,  prepared  to  proceed  against 
Wusota,  reckoned  the  strongest  of  all  the  forts, 

Chukun,  north-west  of  Poona,  was  previously  reduced  by 
Colonel  Deacon.  Colonel  Prother,  from  Bombay,  was  equally 
successful. 

In  January,  and  commencement  of  February,  Kurnada,  Bopal- 
gurh,  Kobittagurh,  Oochitgurh,  and  Sangurh  surrendered. 

Fort  of  Palee  was  also  reduced.  Seaport  of  Sevarndroog  had 
also  lately  been  taken.  Meantime,  General  Munro  had  pro- 
ceeded against  Badami ;  it  was  assaulted  and  captured  on  17th 
February. 


1818.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  521 

The  Commander-in-Chief  favourably  noticed  "  the  admirable 
spirit  and  coolness  evinced  by  the  Madras  Pioneers  in  the 
attack." 

Bhagulkot  fell  very  sliortly  after.  Munro  had  previously,  in 
December,  relieved  fort  of  Xowlgoond,  and  captured,  in  January 
1818,  the  forts  at  Gudduk,  Dummul,  and  Hoobly  (thirteen  miles 
south-east  of  Dharwar). 

This  uninterrupted  chain  of  success  induced  the  Mahratta 
Jaghiredars  to  make  terms  with  Air.  Elphinstone. 

General  Munro  marched  against  Belgaum  on  20th  March. 
No  Engineer  officer  was  present  with  him,  but  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Newall,  of  the  Madras  Infantry,  acted  as  engineer,  and 
there  were  four  companies  of  Pioneers  with  the  force. 

On  the  10th  April  the  garrison  surrendered  at  discretion, 
when  tlie  British  troops  took  possession  of  the  outer  gateway ; 
and  on  the  ISth  the  garrison  marched  out.  Shortly  after  the 
capture  of  Belgaum,  a  junction  was  formed  with  the  remainder 
of  the  Reserve  Division,  commanded  by  Brigadier- General 
Pritzler,  which,  after  the  fall  of  Singhur,  had  been  successfully 
employed  in  reducing  the  forts  between  Sattara  and  Poona. 

On  receiving  this  reinforcement,  the  division  marched  against 
Sholapore,  near  which  was  a  part  of  the  Peishwa's  force. 

The  division  consisted  of:  — 

1,000  European  Infantry.      180  European  Cavalry. 
2,510  Native  Infantry.  123  Artillery. 

Besides  four  companies  of  Pioneers;  somewhat  over  4,200  men. 

The  division  arrived  before  Sholapore  on  9th  May,  and  took 
up  its  ground  on  the  west  side,  two  miles  and  a  half  from  the  fort. 

Sholapore  is  situated  on  an  extensive  plain  of  blaclv  soil,  inter- 
sected here  and  there  by  rivulets  of  brackish  water. 

The  ground  to  the  south  is  greatly  elevated  and  undulating, 
of  a  hard  reddish  soil. 

The  town  was  enclosed  by  a  strong  mud  wall,  with  towers  of 
masonry  on  all  sides,  except  to  south-west,  where  it  is  bounded  by 


522  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  L1818. 

the  fort.  South  of  the  fort  is  a  large  tank,  which  washes  the 
ramparts  and  part  of  wall  of  pettah,  and  supplies  the  ditch  with 
water. 

May  9th  and  10th. — North  and  east  faces  of  the  pettah  were 
reconnoitred  in  the  morning,  and  the  ground  south  of  fort  was 
looked  to  in  the  evening. 

It  was  determined  to  assault  the  pettah  at  once  ;  accordingly, 
at  8  A.M.  on  the  lOth,  a  strong  column  left  camp. 

When  within  J, 000  yards  of  pettah  on  the  north,  the  column 
divided  into  two  parts.  The  two  columns  moved  forward  at 
break  of  day.  The  scaling-ladders  were  applied ;  both  columns 
assaulted  at  the  same  time,  and  drove  the  defenders  to  the 
farthest  end  of  the  pettah,  the  gate  of  which  was  occupied. 

The  pettah  being  now  completely  taken,  General  Munro  resolved 
to  charge  the  enemy,  who  were  by  this  time  drawn  up  and  cannon- 
ading the  Reserve ;  a  tumbril  blew  up  in  the  enemy's  lines,  and  the 
charge  taking  place  soon  after,  they  broke  and  fled  in  all  directions 
round  the  south  glacis,  leaving  three  guns  in  our  possession. 

May  11th. — The  environs  being  now  cleared,  no  obstacle 
remained  to  prevent  the  siege. 

On  the  morning  of  the  11th  the  Engineers  were  employed  in 
reconnoitring  the  fort. 

Lieutenant  A.  Grant,  Madras  Engineers,  commanding. 
Lieutenant  Ainsworth,  H.M.'s  34th,  Acting  Engineer. 
Lieutenant  Wahab,  Rifle  Corps,  Acting  (slightly  wounded). 

The  Pioneers,  and  200  coolies  from  the  pettah,  were  employed 
in  collecting  materials  for  the  batteries. 

On  north,  west,  and  east  sides  the  fort  was  covered  by  the 
glacis  to  within  eight  feet  of  top  of  wall.  Walls  twenty-five  feet 
high,  with  battlement  at  top;  the  ditch  of  great  breadth  and 
depth,  and  supplied  with  water  in  most  parts.  It  was,  however, 
ascertained  that  part  of  west  and  south  fronts  were  dry,  and  as 
the  retaining  wall  on  south  front  appeared  to  be  thin,  it  was 
determined  to  establish  the  batteries  in  the  bed  of   the  tank. 


1818.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  523 

The  revetment  of  the  rampart  could  be  seen  nearly  to  the  bottom 
and  a  breach  could  readily  be  effected  at  a  spot  where  the  ditch 
was  said  to  be  dry. 

A  battery  of  one  mortar,  one  howitzer,  and  two  6-pounders 
was  established  behind  bund  of  tank,  near  south  gate  of  pettah. 
This  was  done  to  keep  the  enemy  within  the  walls. 

May  I2th. — This  battery  was  enlarged  for  three  mortars,  and 
opened  on  the  town  at  niglit ;  the  breaching  battery,  for  four 
guns,  was  commenced  about  400  yards  from  the  fort.  The 
mortar  battery  played  on  the  fort  with  much  effect. 

An  enfilading  battery  for  two  r2-pounders  and  two  6-pounders 
was  marked  out  near  the  mortar  battery,  and  work  commenced 
about  7  A.M. 

On  the  13th,  Lieutenant  A.  Grant,  of  Engineers,  made  a  close 
reconnaissance  of  the  rampart  and  ditch  ;  the  ditch  was  found  to 
be  dry.  The  enemy  soon  discovered  him,  and  directed  grape 
and  musketry  towards  the  spot. 

About  1 1  P.M.  the  breaching  battery  was  finished,  and  the 
guns  brought  up. 

The  enfilading  battery  was  ready  about  4  a.m.,  and  both  were 
armed  before  daylight.  At  sunrise  on  the  14th,  both  batteries 
opened  on  the  fort,  the  breaching  battery  occasionally  firing  in 
salvoes. 

The  breach  was  nearly  practicable  by  noon,  but  the  garrison 
sent  out  a  vakeel  to  treat  for  a  surrender,  and  next  day,  about 
8  A.M  ,  the  place  was  in  our  possession. 

Our  loss  during  assault  of  the  pettah,  and  the  siege  was 
ninety-seven  of  all  ranks,  of  whom  four  officers  were  wounded. 
About  forty  guns,  swivels,  and  gingalls  were  found  on  the  ramparts. 

The  force,  having  halted  one  day,  marched  in  the  direction  of 
Nepaunee,  on  the  nioruing  of  17th  May  1818. 

To  return  now  to  Hindostan. 

On  1st  February  the  British  force  north  of  the  Nerbudda  was 
thus  disposed: — 


524  MILITARY   HISTOEY    OF    THE  Lieib. 

Reserve,  under  Sir  D.  Ouchterlony,  at  Jeypore. 

Centre,  on  the  banks  of  the  Sindh. 

Right,  was  proceeding  to  Kumulneir  and  Mewar. 

Left,  was  partly  with  General  Marshall,  at  Seronge  and 
Beirseeah,  and  remainder  with  General  Brown  at  Jawud. 

Of  the  army  of  the  Deccan,  Sir  T.  Hislop  and  Malcolm  (1st 
and  3rd)  were  near  Mundisore.    Adams  (5th)  in  Bhopal  territory. 

The  Guzerat  army  near  Indore. 

Besides  the  above,  there  was  a  corps  of  observation  on  south 
frontier  of  Behar,  under  Brigadier-General  Tooue  ;  and  Brigadier 
Hardyman  occupied  Juhhulpore, 

Lord  Hastings,  finding  Scindiah  humbled  and  ready  to  for- 
ward the  levy  and  equipment  of  auxiliary  horse,  considered  it 
unnecessary  for  the  army  under  his  personal  command  to  occupy 
the  forward  position  it  had  assumed,  and  after  causing  a  proposal 
for  certain  changes  of  territory  to  be  made  to  the  Gwallior  Dur 
bar,  he,  on  the  ]3th  February,  commenced  his  homeward 
march.  The  Europeans  mostly  returned  to  Cawnpore,  and  the 
Native  Infantry  was  disposed  along  the  Bandelcund  and  Etaw? 
frontier,  while  a  brigade  of  three  strong  battalions,  7th  Native 
Cavalry,  and  the  heavy  train,  were  sent  under  Brigadier-General 
Watson  to  General  Marshall  to  reduce  Saugor. 

General  Marshall  appeared  before  Saugor  on  8th  March.  It 
surrendered  on  the  11th,  and  other  forts  were  taken  possession 
of  in  the  course  of  a  month. 

On  13th  March  1818,  Koaree  was  besieged  by  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Brother.  This  fort  is  about  30  miles  due  west  of 
Poona,  and  commanded  the  principal  pass  leading  from  the 
Konkan,  near  Jamboolpara.  Many  shells  were  thrown  in,  one  of 
which  blew  up  the  magazine,  threw  down  the  principal  gateway, 
and  set  fire  to  several  houses.  This  so  intimidated  the  garrison, 
that  the  Killadar  was  compelled  to  surrender. 

On  our  side  one  was  killed  and  eleven  wounded;  among  the 
latter,  Lieutenant  Remon,  of  the  Bombay  Engines. 


1818.]  MADRAS   ENGINEEES.  525 

Prother  then  proceeded  to  Dhanionee  on  17th  March.  It  was 
invested,  and  batteries  raised  within  breaching  distance,  when  it 
surrendered  on  24th  Marcli. 

The  Left  division  was  now  directed  to  reduce  Mundla. 
Two  batteries  were  erected,  and  opened  fire  on  26th  April. 
Captain  Tickell,  Bombay  Engineers,  commanded.  The 
besieged  were  driven  from  the  wall  attacked.  It  was 
shortly  ascertained  that  the  breach  was  practicable,  and  the 
walls  abandoned.  Storm  was  at  once  resolved  on.  It  was  led 
by  Brigadier-General  Watson.  The  town  was  carried,  and  fort 
surrendered  next  morning. 

The  Right  division  of  the  Grand  Army  (General  Donkin)  was 
broken  up,  as  soon  as  it  occupied  Mewar.  A  detachment  of  the 
C^entre  division,  after  the  affair  of  Jawud,*  was  sent  to  strengthen 
the  force  in  Rajpootana. 

The  3rd  Division  of  the  Deccan  army  to  north  of  the 
Nerbudda,  that  under  the  personal  command  of  Hislop  (1st  Divi- 
sion), and  the  5th,  commanded  by  Colonel  Adams,  were  now  to 
aid  in  the  restoration  of  affairs  of  the  Deccan.  Colonel  Adams  was 
ordered  to  Chouragurh,  in  the  north  extremity  of  Muhadeo  hills. 
Sir  T.  Hislop  was  to  go  by  Sindwaghat  and  Khaudeish.  This 
country  was  remarkably  strong  by  nature,  and  full  of  fortresses. 
General  Doveton  was  to  prosecute  operations  in  Khandeish, 
These  orders  were  issued  on  2nd  February.  By  the  middle  of 
the  month  the  head-quarters  division  of  the  Deccan  army 
commenced  its  march  to  the  south.  General  Malcolm  re- 
tained the  Madras  troops  attached  to  his  division 

SirT.  Hislop  crossed  the  Nerbudda  near  Mundlaisur,  moved  to 
Sindwaghat,  and  arrived  on  the  22nd.  The  fort  surrendered  the 
next  day. 

•  Jeswunt  Row  Bhow,  one  of  Scindiah's  commanders,  had  sheltered  some. 
Pindarric  chiefs  in  his  camp,  and  refused  to  give  them  up.  He  was  accordingly 
attacked  and  defeated  by  a  light  force  from  Ist  and  3rd  Division  Grand  Aiiuy  at 
Jawud,  on  29th  January  1818. 


526  MILITAEY   HISTORY   OP   THE  ri8l8. 

On  the  27th,  he  reached  Talneir,  which  commanded  the  ford 
over  the  Taptee.  Sir  T.  Hislop  had  orders  from  Holkar  for  its 
surrender.  On  the  approach  of  our  troops  fire  was  opened  on 
them.  The  Killadar  was  warned  that  he  would  he  treated  as  a 
rebel ;  but  this  produced  no  abatement.  The  pettah  was  occu- 
pied, and  our  artillery  of  ten  6-pounders  and  two  5j-inch 
howitzers  was  opened  from  a  position  300  yards  distant  from  the 
fort.  This  fire  was  briskly  answered.  In  the  evening  it  was 
resolved  to  force  the  gate,  for  which  purpose  two  6-pounders 
were  carried  up  to  the  outer  gate. 

On  reaching  the  gate,  it  was  found  that  the  wall  beside  it 
was  so  injured  that  the  men  got  through  without  finding  it 
necessary  to  blow  the  gate  open.  The  guns  were  left  outside, 
and  the  storming  party  pushed  on  to  the  second  gate,  which  was 
found  to  be  open.  At  the  third,  they  were  met  by  the  Killadar, 
who  surrendered  to  Colonel  Conway. 

The  third  and  fourth  gates  were  then  opened,  and  the  party 
advanced  to  the  fifth.  This  was  found  closed,  and  the  garrison 
within,  demanded  terms.  After  a  short  parley  the  wicket  gate 
was  opened,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Murray  and  Major  Gordon, 
with  three  other  officers,  entered,  followed  by  ten  or  twelve 
grenadiers.  Meantime  the  Arabs  of  the  garrison,  distrusting  the 
intentions  of  the  British,  made  a  sudden  attack  with  swords,  spears, 
&c.  Major  Gordon  and  Captain  McGregor  were  killed.  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Murray  was  cut  down,  as  well  as  two  other 
officers. 

Ensign  Chauvel  and  Lieutenant  McGregor,  and  most  of  the 
foremost  grenadiers,  were  either  killed  or  wounded. 

Lieutenant  Anderson,  Madras  Engineers,  and  Captain  O'Brien, 
Assistant  Adjutant-General,  were  also  severely  wounded. 

Our  troops  now  crowded  in,  and  in  the  end  the  Arabs  were 
driven  to  seek  shelter  in  the  houses  near.  The  guns  were 
brought  up,  and  the  first  gate  was  blown  open,  upon  which  the 
place  was  soon  carried,  and  the   garrison  (300)  were  put  to   the 


laiaj  MADEAS   ENGINEERS.  527 

sword.  Next  day  the;  Killadar  was  hanged  on  the  twofold  charge 
of  original  resistance  to  the  order  of  his  Sovereign,  and  implica- 
tion in  the  treachery  of  the  garrison.  The  total  loss  of  the 
British  was  seven  officers,  and  eighteen  men  killed  and 
wounded. 

The  following  is  extracted  from  general  order  by  Sir  T. 
Hislop  : — 

"  The  Commander-in-Chief  has  on  this  arduous  occasion  to 
deem  himself  more  fortunate  in  experiencing  the  able,  zealous, 
and  valuable  services  of  his  aide-de-camp.  Lieutenant  Elliott, 
Royal  Engineers,  of  which,  in  consequence  of  the  wound  he 
received  early  in  the  battle  of  21st  December  last,  his  Excel- 
lency had  to  lament  the  privation  during  the  remainder  of  the 
day.  The  services  also  of  Lieutenant  Anderson  and  Ensign 
Purton  of  the  Engineers,  were  eminently  conspicuous,  and  His 
Excellency  regrets  the  wound  which  Lieutenant  Anderson 
received  should  deprive  him,  even  for  a  moment,  of  that  officer's 
valuable  services." 

Leaving  a  garrison  to  occupy  Talneir,  Hislop  crossed  the 
Taptee  and  advanced  to  Pahrolah,  when  he  communicated  with 
Doveton  (2nd)  at  Ootran.  This  officer  having  completed  the 
settlement  of  affiiirs  at  Nagpore,  had  returned  west  by  Ellich- 
pore  in  the  course  of  January,  expecting  orders  to  proceed  against 
Asseerghur  ;  but  that  being  postponed,  he  was  ordered  to  Ootran, 
on  the  Gyrna. 

Hislop  ordered  him  to  move  up  the  river  to  Bal,  he  himself 
following  the  Boaree,  and  sending  a  detachment  to  Galna.  No 
resistance  was  attempted,  and  Holkar's  possessions  were  quickly 
occupied.  While  thus  employed  in  Khandeish,  Plislop  heard 
that  Bajee  Eow  had  penetrated  the  Ghauts  separating  Khandeish 
from  the  Godavery.  Whereupon  he  hastened  south,  ordering 
Doveton  to  move  in  parallel  line  in  same  direction  in  hopes  of 
intercepting  the  Peishwa. 

On  11  th  March,  Hislop  ascended  from  Khandeish  to  the  plain 


528  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE  ti8l8. 

of  the  Godavery,  and  made  one  or  two  ineffectual  efforts  to  come 
up  with  the  enemy ;  but  finding  that  the  Peishwa  escaped  by  the 
superior  rapidity  of  his  marches,  first  to  the  south  and  then  to 
the  east,  he  resolved  to  break  up  the  army  of  the  Deccan,  and  on 
31st  March  issued  final  orders  from  Lassoor,  twenty  miles  west 
of  Aurungabad. 

Sir  T.  Hislop  then  returned  from  Poona  to  Bombay,  and  round 
to  Madras  by  sea. 

Meantime,  Bajee  Eow  was  hastening  in  the  direction  of  Chanda. 
Brigadier-General  Smith  escorted  the  Eaja  of  Sattara  to  Mr. 
Elphinstone,  after  which  he  again  went  to  the  north,  and  having 
halted  at  Seroor,  left  on  10th  March,  and  went  towards  Jaulna  to 
concert  with  Doveton. 

The  latter  resolved  to  march  on  Baussum,  and  as  far  as 
Karinjah,  to  cut  off  the  Mahratta  army  from  the  north,  and 
General  Smith  was  to  move  along  line  of  the  Godavery  at  such  a 
distance  from  the  river  as  to  prevent  enemy  from  turning  his 
right  without  crossing 

This  gave  the  Peishwa  little  chance  of  getting  off  to  the 
south  without  laying  himself  open  to  attack. 

The  van  of  the  Mahratta  army  appeared  at  Woonee,  on  the 
Wurda,  on  1st  or  2nd  April.  Colonel  Adams  was  ordered  to 
reduce  Chanda,  and  moved  by  forced  marches  on  Nagpore. 
Bajjee  Row  continued  for  some  days  irresolute,  between  the 
Wurda  and  the  Payn  Gunga.  Colonel  Adams  marched  to 
Hingunghat  on  6th  April,  sending  on  Lieutenant-Colonel  Scot 
to  Chanda. 

Doveton  (2nd)  was  advancing  from  north-west,  while  Smith 
(4th)  came  from  south.  The  three  divisions  were  thus  closing 
in  on  the  Peishwa.  Adams  halted  at  Hingunghat,  and  ascertain- 
ing that  the  Peishwa  still  loitered  about  Punderkoura  and 
Woonee,  left  him  quiet. 

On  11th  April,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Scot  was  called  in  from 
Chanda,  and  Colonel  Adams,  on  the  loth,  moved  on  Alumba. 


1818.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  529 

Bajee  Row,  at  this  time,  was  undecided  how  to  act,  owing  to 
the  approach  of  his  enemies  from  three  different  quarters  ;  and  he 
accordingly  was  in  constant  motion  between  the  Woonee  river 
and  tlie  Wurda. 

Doveton  had  the  same  day  reached  Pohoor,  on  the  Arun, 
thirty  miles  west  of  Punderkoura,  and  wrote  to  Adams  that  he 
would  march  on  Punderkoura,  so  as  to  arrive  on  17th  April.  It  was 
reckoned  that  by  this  time  Smith  would  be  sufficiently  advanced 
along  the  Godavery  to  intercept  retreat  to  the  south  Colonel 
Adams  resolved  to  march  on  the  IGth,  and  next  day  arrived  at 
Peepulkot,  where  the  Peishwa  had  been  encamped  the  previous 
day.  He  there  heard  that  the  Peishwa  was  at  Soonee,  ten  miles 
south.  He  pushed  on  with  cavalry,  horse  artillery,  and  light 
infantry.  On  approaching  Soonee,  he  found  the  Peishwa  had 
gone  north,  to  avoid  Doveton,  and  was  marching  along  the  very 
road  by  which  he  himself  was  advancing. 

The  advanced  guards  met  suddenly  five  miles  from  Soonee. 
Adams  drove  the  enemy  back  in  confusion  several  miles. 

The  main  body  was  shortly  discovered  in  great  confusion.  It 
was  at  once  attacked,  and  completely  routed,  five  guns  being 
captured. 

The  Peishwa  himself  escaped  with  difficulty  on  horse-back. 

The  British  loss  was  only  two  wounded,  the  enemy  never 
having  stood  a  charge. 

In  the  pursuit,  about  1 ,000  of  the  enemy  were  killed. 

The  Peishwa  fled  to  south-west,  and  Doveton,  who  was  at 
Punderkoura,  gave  chase.  The  remains  of  the  Mahratta  army 
were  thus  followed  for  five  days. 

The  Peishwa  went  south-west  as  far  as  Oomerkeir,  and  then  due 
west,  by  Kullumpore,  to  Boree.  Doveton  pursued  to  Oomerkeir, 
without  halting,  and  then  waited  three  days  for  his  rear-guard 
and  supplies. 

He  then  continued  the  pursuit  as  fur  as  Peepree,  which  he 
reached  on  27th  April.    Here  he  discovered  that  he  was  following 

34 


530  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE 


[181B. 


a  detached  party,  and  that  the  Peishwa  had  turned  from  Boree, 
north,  to  cross  the  Taptee. 

The  force  with  the  Peishwa  was  now  only  8,000  to  10,000 
men.  Doveton  resolved  to  march  by  easy  stages  for  Jaulna, 
as  he  was  in  want  both  of  money,  and  provisions.  He  arrived 
there  on  11th  May.  For  similar  reasons  Smith  was  obliged  to 
return  to  Seroor. 

In  the  interim,  General  Pritzler  closely  invested  Wusota,  on 
3 1st  March,  after  his  success  at  Sattara. 

This  fort  is  situated  on  the  summit  of  a  mountain  in  West 
Ghauts,  3,000  feet  high  on  Konkan  side,  and  2,000  on  the  east 
Its  great  strength  consists  in  its  elevation,  and  in  the  diffi- 
culties of  approach,  for  it  is  surrounded  by  inaccessible 
mountains,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  narrow  and  rugged  passes. 
A  detachment  was  sent  forward  on  the  31st,  under  Colonel  Hewitt, 
to  invest  the  place.  The  remainder  continued  at  Tambah, 
twenty  miles  north-east  of  Wusota.  In  the  afternoon  Colonel 
Hewitt  reached  Indoolie,  a  village  two  miles  and  a  half  from 
Wusota,  and  drove  in  an  outpost. 

Three  outposts  were  established  :  one  at  Old  Wusota,  distant 
700  yards;  second  at  same  distance,  commanding  road  up  to  the 
gateway;  and  the  third  to  right  of  it,  distance  400  yards  from 
the  walls.  A  summons  was  sent  to  the  Killadar,  but  it  was 
refused  admittance.  All  the  pioneers  and  dooly-bearers  were 
engaged  in  making  a  road. 

On  the  3rd,  head-quarters  were  moved  forward  to  five  miles 
from  Wusota,  and  mortars  and  howitzers  conveyed  across  by 
elephants. 

The  next  day,  a  strong  party  was  employed  on  pathway  to  Old 
Wusota,  and  some  light  guns  and  ammunition  were  got  up. 

On  the  oth,  the  battery  from  Old  Wusota  opened  with  good  efi'ect. 

The  bombardment  continued  on  the  Oth,  when  the  Pioneers 
were  directed  to  complete  the  road  for  the  advance  of  the  bat- 
tering guns.    Next  morning,  however,  the  garrison  surrendered. 


1818.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  531 

Captain  Nutt,  Bombay  Engineers,  was  Chief  Engineer. 

Loss  of  the  enemy  amounted  to  seventeen,  while  the  British 
lost  only  four. 

Lieutenants  Morrison  and  Hunter  were  found  in  the  dungeons 
of  the  fort. 

Brigadier-General  Pritzler's  force  was  now  broken  up,  and  a 
corps  of  it,  with  a  Bombay  battalion,  was  sent  to  meet  Munro, 
who  was  advancing  from  the  south.  The  remainder  proceeded 
against  strongholds  to  the  west  of  Poona. 

Pritzler  led  back  the  troops  of  Reserve,  and  received  the 
submission  of  all  forts  along  the  Kistna. 

After  the  army  of  the  Deccan  was  broken  up,  in  March  1818, 
the  Hydrabad  Subsidiary  Force,  which  had  formed  the  2nd  Divi- 
sion, was  employed  in  pursuit  of  the  Peishwa,  while  a  detachment 
from  it  was  formed  to  reduce  his  fortresses  in  Khandeish.  This 
detachment  was  commanded  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  McDowell. 

He  had — 

2  companies  of  H.M.'s  Royals. 

3  companies  of  Madras  Europeans. 
2nd  Native  Infantry. 

4  companies  of  13th  Native  Infantry. 

About  1,000  men  ;  and  it  was  supplied  with  battering  trains  of 
Ist,  2nd,  and  3rd  Divisions.  Sappers  and  miners  amounted  to 
eighty,  and  there  were  five  companies  of  Pioneers. 

This  detachment  marched  from  near  Aurungabad  on  30th 
March,  and  arrived  before  Unkye  Tunkye  on  3rd  April.  This 
WHS  the  first  in  the  line  of  fortresses  it  was  intended  to  reduce. 
These  forts  were  situated  in  the  range  of  mountains  which  forms 
south  boundary  of  Khandeish,  and  which  divides  that  province 
from  Ahmednuggur. 

Unkye  Tunkye  surrendered  without  opposition  on  7th  April. 
The  detachment  marched  from  Unkye  Tunkye  by  Chandore 
pass  to  Rajdeir,  n  fort  situated  a  few  miles  to  the  nortli  of 
Chandore.     The  garrison   refused   to  surrender,  and    the  force 

34  * 


532  MILITAEY    HISTOEY   OF    THE  [I8I8. 

took  up  its  ground  for  the  siege,  in  the  valley  south-east  of  the 
fort. 

Rajdeir  was  on  an  inaccessible  rock.  No  works  had  been 
required,  except  the  gateways.  The  commanding  engineer, 
Lieutenant  Davies,  reported  that,  from  the  great  natural  strength 
of  the  rock,  a  garrison  of  200  men  might  bid  dehance  to  the 
largest  army.  It  was  recommended  by  the  engineer  that  the 
whole  of  heavy  guns,  mortars,  &:c.  should  be  placed  at  point  F. 
Under  the  protection  of  this  fire,  points  Gr  and  E  were  to  be 
occupied.  Then  our  fire  was  to  be  concentrated  on  advanced 
work  C,  and  the  works  defending  gateway  A.  If  garrison  con- 
tinued resolute,  a  battery  to  be  formed  at  E."^ 

April  J  1th. —  Point  E  occupied,  and  by  11  p.m.  a  lodgment 
was  formed.  A  company  of  Native  Infantry,  with  one  officer 
and  an  engineer  with  a  working-party.  Ground  at  F  prepared 
for  four  large  guns,  three  mortars,  and  four  howitzers. 

April  12th. — At  daylight  point  G  was  occupied,  and  it  was 
determined  to  attack  C,  and  to  establish  a  battery  at  H  of  two 
6-pounders,  two  6^-inch  howitzers,  and  one  5^-inch  mortar. 

A  party  now  proceeded  to  attack.  J  80  Europeans  and  300 
sepoys  under  Major  Andrews,  M.E.R.,  gained  the  heights  at  8  a.m., 
and  two  more  hills  by  daylight.  At  9  a.m.  troops  under  Major 
Andrews,  with  Ensign  Nattes,  moved  on  in  a  most  gallant  style, 
and  ascended  the  hill,  which  was  very  difficult  and  steep,  and  little 
short  of  a  mile,  under  a  furious  fire.  The  enemy  abandoned  the 
post  and  retreated  to  Kajdeir.  Enemy  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  on 
our  new  post.  Lieutenant  Davies  set  to  work  with  his  men  in 
the  face  of  the  fire,  and  marked  out  his  line.  In  this  he  was 
well  supported  by  sappers  and  miners,  and  pioneers. 

Towards  evening  the  enemy  perceived  a  new  work,  and  hoisted 
a  flag  of  truce.  A  native  officer  was  sent  forward.  On  his 
reaching  the  bottom  of  the  rock  they  asked  him  what  was   the 

*  See  plan  in  Lake*B  Sieges  of  the  Madras  Army. 


1818.]  MADEAS   ENGINEEE3.  533 

object  of  the  new  work.  He  replied,  "  We  are  working  a  large 
hole  behind  it,  and  we  shall  be  under  the  rock  in  the  course  of 
the  night,  and  blow  you  all  to  the  devil." 

The  battery  would  have  been  ready  to  open  at  daylight,  but  at 
11  P.M.  the  enemy  surrendered. 

Lieutenant  Davies  was  commanding  engineer,  and  Ensigns 
Nattes,  Purton,  Underwood,  and  Lake  were  present. 

Tliirty  European  sappers,  50  native  sappers. 

The  scarp  of  the  work  was  found  generally  to  be  120  feet 
high,  the  entrance  to  the  fort  being  flights  of  steps  cut  in  inside 
of  the  rock,  with  occasional  openings,  through  which  stones 
could  be  poured  down  from  above.  The  top  was  closed  by  an 
iron  grating. 

Our  loss  was  trifling — only  seven  wounded. 

Inderye,  Doorass,  and  several  other  forts  followed  the  example 
of  Eajdeir  ;  and  the  engineer  officers  were  sent  to  report  on 
the  principal  ones.  Detachment  left  Rajdeir  on  15th  April,  and 
marched  by  Chandore  and  Nassick  upon  Trimbuck,  a  fort  on 
West  Ghauts,  twenty-six  miles  south-west  of  Nassick.  March 
from  Nassick  commenced  on  22nd  April,  and  the  troops  halted 
half-way,  while  the  engineers  proceeded  to  reconnoitre  the  fort, 
and  to  carry  a  summons.  As  the  reconnoitering  party  approached 
the  pettah,  the  enemy  evacuated  it,  opened  fire  from  north  side 
of  fort,  and  made  a  sally,  which  was  immediately  driven  back. 
A  reconnaissance  was  the  same  evening  made  of  the  south  gate- 
way.    The  extent  of  this  fort  is  not  less  than  five  miles  round. 

The  scarp,  which  varies  from  200  to  400  feet  of  perpendicular 
rock,  surrounding  the  hill  in  every  part,  leaves  only  the  gateways 
accessible.  Trimbuck  had  only  two  gates — chief  one  on  the 
south  of  easv  ascent,  and  one  on  north  (only  a  single  gate),  the 
passage  to  which  is  by  narrow  steps  cut  in  the  rock,  and  only 
wide  enough  for  one  person  to  mount  at  a  time. 

Head  of  pnssngo  was  defended  by  two  towers  connected  by  a 
curtain,  in  which  was  the  gateway. 


534  MILITAEY   HISTOEY   OF    THE  [1818. 

The  height  of  hill  on  north  is  not  so  great  as  on  the  south, 
but  it  rises  more  abruptly. 

The  magazines  and  houses  were  excavations  in  rock.  The 
engineer  recommended  an  attack  on  the  north  gate,  and  to  silence 
fire  of  enemy's  guns  by  erecting  a  battery  at  bottom  of  hill  for 
heavy  ordnance  ;  then  to  occupy  village  at  foot  of  north  gate, 
and  to  erect  a  battery  of  four  G-pounders  to  batter  the  gateway, 
and  to  carry  the  guns  up  to  it  by  hand  Two  6-pounders  to  be 
detached,  and  established  as  near  the  south  gate  as  possible. 

April  23rd. — Lieutenant  Davies  reconnoitered.  In  trying  to 
get  possession  of  a  garden,  and  loose  work  at  base  of  hill,  seven 
or  eight  men  were  killed,  some  of  them  crushed  with  stones, 
and  thirty  wounded.  Amongst  the  wounded  were  Major 
MoBean,  and  Ensign  Lake  of  Engineers. 

The  detachment  for  the  south  gate  marched  at  4  p.m.,  with 
working  party  under  an  officer  of  Engineers,  and  a  few  sappers. 
A  battery  was  constructed  during  the  night  within  .500  yards  of  the 
south  gate,  and  one  gun  carried  up.  As  soon  as  it  was  dusk, 
the  battery  at  A  was  marked  out.* 

They  were  obliged  to  construct  an  elevated  battery  (owing  to 
the  rocky  soil)  with  great  labour.  The  works  were  completed 
by  daylight,  and  four  heavy  guns,  two  8-inch  mortars  and  two 
8-inch  howitzers,  were  got  into  the  battery. 

April  24th — Battery  opened  at  daylight.  In  three  hours  the 
enemy's  guns  were  silenced,  and  they  evacuated  the  ruined 
village.  Commanding  officer  determined  to  eff'ect  a  lodgment 
during  the  day,  and  working-parties  were  ordered  to  parade  at 
noon.  Sappers  and  miners,  eighty  pioneers,  100  dooly-bearers, 
two  engineer  officers,  covering  party  H.M.'s  Royals,  and  one 
battalion  1 3th  Native  Infantry,  advanced  three-quarters  of  an 
hour  before  the  time,  and  attempted  to  force  the  gateway,  and 
the  bluff  rock  200  feet  high.     The  enemy   opened   a  heavy  fire, 

*  Plan  in  Lake's  Sieges  of  the  Madras  Army. 


^818.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  535 

and  rolled  down  stones.  When  the  working-party  arrived,  they 
could  not  establish  themselves,  and  as  the  battery  had  ceased 
fire,  owing  to  incessant  work  for  twelve  hours,  the  working- 
party  were  obliged  to  retire  behind  the  walls  of  the  village  till 
night,  when  a  battery  of  four  6 -pounders  was  finished. 

This  advanced  position  had  the  desired  efiecL  as  at  6  a.m.  the 
Killadar  offered  to  treat.     The   north   gate   was   delivered  to  an 
oflBcer  and  twelve  men  on  night   of  the  2oth,  and  next  dav  the 
garrison  evacuated  the  fort  by  the  south  gate. 
Engineers  present  were — 

Lieutenant  Davies,  commanding  engineer. 
Ensign  Nattes. 
,,       Purton. 
,,       Underwood. 
,,       Lake,  severely  wounded. 

On  the  surrender  of  Trimbuck,  seventeen  other  forts  fell,  and 
the  whole  of  this  country,  perhaps  the  strongest  in  the  world, 
came  into  our  hands  in  a  few  weeks. 

After  the  fall  of  Trimbuck,  Lieutenant-Colonel  McDowell  con- 
sidering the  season  too  far  advanced  to  continue  operations,  pre- 
pared to  take  up  a  position  for  the  monsoon  near  Chandore  ;  while 
the  Engineer  Department  moved  to  Nassick  preparatory  to  pro- 
ceeding to  Bombay  to  try  some  experiments  in  pontooning, 
suggested  by  Lieutenant  Davies.  But  the  "  Politicals  "  thought 
it  of  importance  to  obtain  a  footing  in  Khandeish  (the  greater 
part  of  which  was  in  possession  of  the  Arabs)  before  the  mon- 
soon set  in,  and  the  detachment  marched  for  Malligaum,  arriving 
before  it  on  16th  May.  The  Engineers'  Department  rejoined 
them  on  the  15th,  by  forced  marches  from  Nassick. 

At  this  time,  as  we  have  seen,  Sholapore  had  surrendered  to 
Munro,  after  ten  davs'  bombardment.  Colonel  Adams,  finding 
Generals  Doveton  and  Smitli  were  hotly  engaged  in  pursuit  of  the 
l^'ishwa,  moved  towards  Clianda,  and  set  himself  down  before  it 
on  9th  May,  three  miles  north-west. 


536  MILITAEY   HISTOET   OF    THE  [IBIS. 

His  troops  consisted  of — 

Bengal  Troops. 

Two  brigades  Native  Horse  Artillery.  j 

5th  and  6th  Eegiments  Native  Cavalry. 

One  squadron  8th  Native  Cavalry. 

One  company  Foot  Artillery. 

19th  Native  Infantry. 

23rd 

Four  companies  Grenadiers,  flank  battalion. 

Five  companies  Light  Infantry. 

One  company  Pioneers,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Fell. 

Madras   Troops. 

Half-troop  European  Horse  Artillery. 
One  company  European  Foot  Artillery. 
1st  Native  Infantry. 
11th     „ 

Four  companies  flank  battalion. 

One  company  Pioneers,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Bevan. 
1,000  Nizam's  Horse. 
About  6,000  men. 

Chanda  is  situated  on  a  plain,  five  miles  from  confluence 
of  Wurda  and  Payngunga.  On  the  east  side  are  two  consider- 
able suburbs,  the  Lai  and  Begum  pettahs  ;  former,  very  large, 
extends  a  mile  to  east.  Part  of  north  side  is  covered  by  a 
large  tank.  Two  nullahs  run  along  east  and  west  sides,  and 
join  opposite  to  south.  A  thick  jungle  extends  along  north  and 
east  sides,  within  half  or  three-quarters  of  a  mile  of  the  walls, 
close  to  which  there  are  gardens  on  these  two  sides.  On  the 
other  sides  the  ground  is  open.* 

The  enclosure  of  the  place  consists  of  a  rampart,  eight  to 
twelve  feet  high,  and  twelve  to  sixteen  thick,  surmounted  by  a 
loop-holed   parapet  eight  feet  high  and  four  feet  thick,  flanked 

*  Plan  to  be  found  in  Lake's  Sieges  of  the  Madras  Army. 


1818.]  MADEAS    ENGINEEllS.  537 

at  moderate  intervals  by  round  towers.  The  citadel  was  situated 
about  middle  of  east  side,  170  yards  from  rampart.  Height  of 
its  wall  is  forty-five  feet ;  an  incomplete  outer  rampart  surrounded 
this  work. 

Lieutenant- Colonel  Adams  personally  reconnoitred  north  and 
east  sides  on  10th  May.  The  Pioneers  were  employed  in 
preparing  materials. 

May  11th — Reconnaissance  was  completed  on  west  and  south 
sides  ;  and  it  was  determined  to  make  the  attack  on  south-east 
angle,  on  account  of  cover  afforded  by  the  pettah,  a  tope,  and  a 
ravine,  which  offered  a  good  approach  to  within  half  musket-shot 
of  the  angle. 

During  this  day's  reconnaissance,  the  enemy  were  driven  from 
a  small  hill  850  yards  south  of  the  point  .of  attack,  on  which 
they  were  constructing  a  redoubt 

May  13th. — Troops  moved  to  a  new  position,  two  miles  south 
of  city. 

The  hill  from  which  enemy  had  been  driven  was  occupied,  and 
possession  taken  of  the  Begum  pettah. 

A  company  of  Madras  Pioneers  was  sent  out  with  100  dooly- 
bearers,  at  12,  to  collect  and  prepare  materials.  At  8  p.m.,  a 
sunken  battery  for  two  guns,  and  a  position  for  a  howitzer  on  the 
hill,  was  commenced  8.50  yards  from  south-east  angle,  to  silence 
some  large  guns  on  south  face.  The  soil  proved  excessively 
rocky  ;  tlie  work  was  not  finished  at  daybreak,  and  was  there- 
fore masked. 

May  14th. — The  battery  opened  at  daybreak,  and  had  the 
desired  effect. 

May  17th  — A  sufficient  quantity  of  materials  having  now  been 
prepared  by  the  Pioneers,  the  following  batteries  were  commenced 
at  8  P.M.,  by  the  two  companies  of  Pioneers  and  300  sepoys  : — 

1st. — A  battery  of  five  embrasures  at  400  yards,  for  four 
12-pounders,  to  fire  at  defences  to  right  of  south- 
east angle. 


538  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1818. 

2nd. — A    sunken    battery    at   same    distance   for   three  6- 

pounders,  to  enfilade  defences. 
3rd. — A  battery  at  630  yards,  between  the  above,  for  two 
howitzers. 

The  working-parties  were  discovered,  and  the  enemy  opened 
fire,  which  did  not,  however,  greatly  obstruct  the  work. 

May  I8th. — Batteries  opened  at  daybreak.  At  8  a.m.,  the 
Pioneers  commenced  the  breaching  battery  for  three  i8-pounders, 
at  200  yards. 

May  1 9th. — Breaching-battery  opened  at  7  a.m. 

The  two  companies  of  Pioneers  continued  working  till  10  a.m., 
completing  a  communication  with  the  ravine,  and  enlarging 
shoulder  of  battery  for  a  12-pounder,  to  play  on  defences  flank- 
ing south-east  angle.  At  4  p.m.  a  good  practicable  breach  of 
100  feet  was  effected  ;  but  owing  to  the  distance  the  troops  had 
to  march  from  camp,  the  assault  was  delayed.  The  six  howitzers 
were  brought  down  at  dusk  to  the  flank  of  breaching-battery, 
and  a  continued  fire  of  round  shot,  grape  and  shell  was  kept 
up  during  the  night  on  the  breach  and  adjacent  works. 

May  2()th. —  Cavalry  were  distributed  round  the  place,  to 
intercept  fugitives.  The  storming-party,  under  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Scot,  debouched  from  Begum  pettah  at  half- past 
5  A.M.  It  consisted  of  two  columns  :  right,  of  Bengal  troops  ; 
left,  of  Madras ;  supported  by  a  reserve.  The  breach  was 
speedily  crowned  by  both  columns,  when  they  diverged  to  right 
and  left ;  and  at  7  a.m.  all  resistance  ceased.  A  small  party 
shut  themselves  up  in  the  citadel,  but  surrendered  shortly  after. 

Lieutenant  Anderson  was  commanding  engineer,  and  Lieu- 
tenant Crawford,  Bengal  Artillery,  assisted  him 

Duty  in  the  trenches  was  unusually  severe,  and  the  weather 
very  hot.  Major  Goreham,  of  the  Madras  Artillery,  died  from 
the  effects  of  the  heat. 

Extrnct  from  G.  O.  C.  C,  1st  September  1^18  :— 

'•  The  rapid  demolition  of  the  enemy's  defences,  and  the  speed 


1818.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  539 

with  which  a  breach  was  effected,  would  sufficiently  testify  the 
science  of  Lieutenant  Anderson,  Field  Engineer,  and  of  Lieu- 
tenant Crawford,  Bengal  Artillery,  acting  as  engineer,  in 
indicating  the  positions  for  the  batteries,  even  had  not  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Adams  professed  his  obligations  to  these  officers  so 
warmly.  His  Excellency,  in  detailing  the  names  of  Lieutenant 
Hunter,  Horse  Artillery,  Lieutenant  Bevan,  of  the  Pioneers,  and 
the  corps  to  which  they  belong,  is  actuated  by  a  desire  to 
proclaim  the  honour  they  have  acquired,  in  the  same  orders 
which  have  commemorated  the  triumphs  of  their  brother  officers 
and  soldiers." 

During  the  siege  and  assault,  thirteen  were  killed  and  fifty- 
five  wounded.  Amongst  the  wounded  was  Lieutenant  Cunnv, 
of  the  Bengal  Pioneers,  and  three  other  officers. 

This  closed  the  campaign  in  the  Bhonsla  territory.  Adams' 
force  had  now  completed  the  object  of  its  destination  to  the 
south.  While  it  was  returning  to  Hooshingabad,  it  was  attacked 
by  cholera,  and  the  casualties  were  very  heavy.  General  Mar- 
shall's division  had  also  suffered  from  cholera  in  the  course  of 
its  operations  against  Mundla. 

Pending  the  operations  that  terminated  in  the  rout  of  Soonee, 
Appa  Sahib  (Nagpore  Rajah)  was  confined  at  the  Nagpore 
Residency  with  his  two  Ministers. 

On  3rd  May,  he  was  conveyed  from  Nagpore,  as  it  was  intended 
he  should  be  sent  to  Allahabad.  His  escort  consisted  of  a  wing 
of  22nd  Bengal  Native  Li  fan  try  and  three  troops  Hth  Native 
Cavalry,  commanded  by  Captain  Browne,  of  22nd.  A  few 
sepoys  of  22nd  were  seduced  from  their  duty,  and  on  morning  of 
13th,  Appa  Sahib,  dressed  as  a  sepoy,  joined  the  guard,  marched 
completely  out  of  the  camp,  and  succeeded  in  getting  clear  off. 
As  soon  as  his  escape  was  discovered,  Captain  Browne  sent  off 
parties  of  cavalry  in  every  direction,  and  despatched  expresses  to 
Brigadier-General  Watson,  and  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  McMorine, 
then  engaged   in  taking  possession   of  Chouragurh.      It   was, 


540  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1818 

however,  impossible  to  trace  his  flight.  It  was  afterwards 
ascertained  he  had  fled  to  Hurye,  and  thence  to  Mohadeo  Hills, 
where  he  was  concealed  by  the  Goands,  and  particularly  by 
one  Chyn  Shah,  a  Rajah  of  considerable  influence  among  them. 

In  the  ensuing  season  he  gave  considerable  trouble,  and  the 
disturbance  was  not  remedied  till  the  capture  of  Asseerghur,  in 
April  1819. 

The  whole  force,  under  Colonel  Adams,  had  to  take  the  field. 
The  two  Ministers  of  Appa  Sahib  were  sent  to  Allahabad,  their 
original  destination. 

The  Peishwa  crossed  the  Tap  tee  on  5  th  May,  just  below  the 
confluence  with  the  Poornah,  and  proceeded  down  the  valley  to 
Chuprah. 

He  there  discovered  this  route  was  closed,  by  our  possession 
of  Sindwah,  as  well  as  by  arrangements  of  Malcolm  for  the 
defence  of  line  of  the  Nerbudda  from  Hindia  to  Maheshwar. 

The  Peishwa  sent  an  agent  to  Malcolm,  and  went  himself 
towards  Boorhanpore. 

Malcolm  prepared  to  march  south  from  Indore  ;  while  Doveton 
was  advancing  from  south.  The  Peishwa  seeing  himself  about 
to  be  hemmed  in,  hovered  about  Asseerghur,  where  he  was 
visited  by  Scindiah's  Killadar.  His  agent  reached  Malcolm's 
camp  at  Mhow  on  16th  May.  Sir  John  Malcolm  took  his  com- 
munication as  a  negotiation  for  surrender.  Bajee  Row  was  at 
this  time  at  Doolkot,  five  miles  north  of  Asseerghur. 

On  25th  May,  Doveton  arrived  at  Boorhanpore.  Up  to  3 1st, 
Bajee  Row  remained  irresolute.  Meantime,  Malcolm  had  brought 
his  force  as  far  as  Bheekungaon,  where  he  found  Lieutenant 
Low  (Malcolm's  representative,  the  late  General  Sir  John  Low, 
K.C.B.),  and  the  Peishwa's  vakeels.  Troops  from  Hindia  had 
advanced  to  Peeplowda ;  and  Doveton  was  at  Boorhanpore. 

Being  completely  surrounded  on  31st  May,  the  Peishwa  sent 
Baloota,  Dewan  of  Kushirkar  .Tageerdar  to  Malcolm,  and  asfreed 
to  a  personal  conference  at  Kiree,  in  the  Satpoora  range.       The 


W18.1  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  541 

meeting  took  place  on  1st  June,  and  the  conference  lasted  from 
5  to  10  P.M.,  when  the  Peishwa  reascended  the  Ghaut.  Doveton 
was  requested  to  interpose  between  his  camp,  and  Asseerj^hur. 
Lieutenant-Uolonel  Russell  was  ordered  to  advance  from  Bhoor- 
gaon,  and  combine  with  that  officer  in  an  attack  on  Trimbuckjee. 

At  length,  after  a  fruitless  attempt  at  farther  procrastination, 
Bajee  How,  the  Peishwa,  joined  the  camp  of  Malcolm  on  3rd 
June,  at   11  a.m. 

It  has  been  already  stated  that  Lieutenant-Colonel  McDowell's 
force  arrived  at  Malligaum  on  16th  May. 

The  strength  of  the  detachment  at  this  time  was,  including 
sick  and  wounded  (amounting  to  fifty)  : — 

H.M.'s  Royal  Scots      100 

Madras  European  Regiment       90 

2ud  Native  Infantry    530 

13th       „            „           263 

Total     983 

Besides  270  Pioneers,  and  a  small  detail  of  European  artillery. 

Malligaum  is  situated  on  left  bank  of  river  Moossee,  a  little 
above  its  junction  with  the  Ghirna.  The  river  runs  under  the  west, 
and  a  great  part  of  the  north  and  south  sides  The  fort  consisted 
of  three  lines  of  works,  with  a  ditch  in  front  of  the  middle  line. 
The  body  of  place  was  120  yards  square,  with  a  round  tower  at 
each  angle,  and  one  in  centre  of  each  side.  The  middle  line  of 
works  was  also  quadrangular,  but  oblong  in  shape  The  outer 
line  was  of  irregular  form,  running  parallel  to  the  body  of  the 
place  on  the  west  side  only,  and  extending  to  some  distance  on  the 
other  sides,  enclosing  a  large  space  of  ground.  It  was  strengthened 
throughout  by  round  towers  at  irregular  intervals.  Towards  the 
east,  and  on  part  of  north  side,  there  was  an  additional  line  of 
works,  formed  of  mud,  between  the  ditch  of  the  fausse  braye  and 
the  outer  line ;  but  it  was  old  awd  much  decayed.     It  extended 


542  mLITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  LI8I8. 

from  south-east  angle  of  the  ditch  as  far  as  the  works  of  the  gateway 
on  north  side,  with  which  it  was  connected.  The  interior  line 
and  fausse  braye  were  built  with  stone,  as  also  the  outer  line  on 
the  south  side,  and  towards  the  river  ;  but  those  which  faced  the 
pettah  were  of  mud.  Height  of  inner  wall,  sixty  feet ;  thickness 
of  parapet,  six  feet ;  and  breadth  of  terreplein,  eleven  feet ; 
making  total  thickness  of  rampart,  seventeen  feet. 

Space  between  body  of  place  and  fausse  brrye  on  part  of  north, 
and  on  west  and  south  sides,  was  about  forty  feet,  of  which  ten 
feet  were  appropriated  to  stabling. 

The  roof  of  these  stables  formed  terreplein  of  fausse  braye, 
and  was  surmounted  by  a  parapet  of  five  feet.  The  fausse  braye 
was  thus  fifteen  feet  interiorly,  but  exteriorly  forty  feet,  including 
the  ditch,  which  was  for  the  most  part  cut  out  of  solid  rock,  with- 
out a  berm.     Scarp  revetment  of  fausse  braye  was  five  feet  thick. 

Width  of  ditch,  twenty-five  feet;  its  depth  varied  ;  but  on  the 
river  front,  where  it  was  greatest,  it  was  twenty-five  feet.  Space 
between  counterscarp,  and  exterior  line  of  works  varied.  On 
the  west  it  was  only  sixty,  while  on  the  east  it  was  as  much  as 
300  feet. 

Height  of  outer  line  of  works  was  fourteen  or  fifteen  feet ; 
thickness  of  parapet  being  three  feet ;  and  its  rampart  ten  feet 
on  west  and  south  sides,  and  fourteen  feet  on  east  side  of  fort. 
Gateways  were  nine  in  number,  very  intricate,  and  all  containing 
bomb-proofs ;  outer  gate  on  north,  inner  one  on  east.  On  the 
east  side,  the  fort  was  much  weakened  by  the  pettah  being  within 
close  musket-shot.  An  old  rampart  surrounded  the  greater  part 
of  the  pettah,  and  all  the  entrances  into  it  were  barricaded.  The 
defences  of  the  fort  were  further  impaired  by  a  village  called 
Sumnaree,  on  left  bank  of  river,  nearly  opposite  the  outer  gate 
of  fort,  which  communicated  with  the  pettah.  A  thick  grove  of 
mango-trees,  400  yards  deep,  ran  along  the  left  bank,  opposite 
south-west  angle. 

The  country  is  flat  round  the  fort.     The  soil  on  the  left  bank 


1818.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  543 

is  black  mud,  o)ie  loot  deep,  restiug  on  white  sandy  rock  easily 
worked  at  the  surface. 

The  opposite  bank  is  a  shelving  rock,  covered  with  loose  sand. 
Fort  is  said  to  have  been  built  about  17G0.  The  garrison  was 
estimated  to  be  700.  In  the  reconnaissance  made  by  the  engi- 
neers, the  garrison  allowed  them  to  ride  along  the  right  bank  of 
river,  and  thus  a  good  view  was  obtained  of  inner  and  outer 
lines  on  south  and  west  sides;  but  nothing  could  be  seen  of  the 
ditch  or  fausse  brave.  Very  little  could  be  ascertained  regarding 
strength  of  fort  on  east  and  north  sides,  as  the  garrison  occupied 
the  pettah,  and  village  of  Sumnaree. 

The  commanding  engineer.  Lieutenant  Davies,  recommended 
an  approach  from  right  bank  of  river  against  the  south-west 
angle  ;  first,  because  to  attack  the  east  front  it  would  be  neces- 
sary to  carry  the  pettah,  which  could  not  be  effected  without  crip- 
pling our  force;  second,  because  same  objections  existed  as  to 
attack  on  north  and  to  the  south,  and  further  that  the  ground  on 
left  bank  was  too  confined ;  third,  that  the  ground  on  right  bank 
was  most  favourable  for  the  construction  of  the  works. 

The  plan  proposed  was  to  construct  two  batteries  on  the  pro- 
longations of  south  and  west  sides,  500  yards  from  them.  No.  1 
to  be  armed  with  two  guns,  two  mortars,  and  two  howitzers. 
No.  'Z  for  three  guns.  A  parallel  was  to  be  constructed  same  night 
in  the  mango  grove,  between  these  enfilading  batteries.  From  the 
parallel,  JDavies  proposed  to  advance,  by  zigzags,  to  the  bank  of 
river,  along  which  the  second  parallel  was  to  be  constructed,  and 
on  its  right  flank  the  breaching  battery  for  three  guns  was  to  be 
placed.  The  bottom  of  the  revetments  of  the  towers,  Y  and  Z, 
which  were  supposed  to  be  of  mud  faced  with  stone,  were  to  be 
loosened  by  the  breaching  batteries,  to  enable  miners  to  form 
chambers  for  destroying  them,  and  then  lodgments  were  to  be 
established  in  their  ruins,  and  the  intermediate  curtain  was  to 
be  turned  into  a  parallel ;  that  part  of  it,  in  line  of  fire  of  breach- 
ing battery  was  to  be  levelled,  in  order  that  the  bottom  of  inner 


514  MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE  U818. 

wall  Eoight  be  seen  over  it.  From  behind  this  lodgment,  he 
proposed  to  sink  a  sliaft,  and  working  thence  to  blow  in  the 
counterscarp  opposite  the  curtain  to  be  breached.  He  proposed, 
also,  that  an  establishment  should  be  made  opposite  outer  gate 
on  the  north  side,  to  confine  the  garrison;  but  this  had  to 
be  postponed  till  reinforcements  arrived. 

On  May  18th,  at  dusk,  the  engineers  marked  out  the  enfilading 
batteries  ;  parallel  200  yards  long,  and  300  yards  from  river,  was 
also  marked  out.  About  8  p.m.  the  enemy  made  a  sortie  from 
their  own  left,  along  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  attacked  the 
covering-party  in  the  grove  in  front  of  the  working-party  con- 
structing the  parallel ;  the  working-parties  got  into  confusion, 
and  fled.  Major  Andrews  put  himself  at  the  head  of  sixty  men, 
and  proceeded  to  the  tope,  where  he  was  joined  by  Lieutenant 
Davies. 

Being  now  on  the  edge  of  the  tope,  this  party  drew  up  ; 
they  then  dashed  at  the  Arabs,  and  in  twenty  minutes  drove 
them  completely  out  of  the  tope,  and  followed  them  into  the 
river,  where  they  were  subjected  to  a  heavy  fire  of  matchlocks 
from  the  fort.  Major  Andrews  and  several  men  were  wounded 
and  withdrawn.  Colonel  McDowell  now  arrived  at  the  tope, 
and  ordered  the  party  to  be  recalled.  At  this  moment 
Lieutenant  Davies  received  his  mortal  wound.  He  was  in  the  act 
of  turning  round  to  return,  when  the  fatal  ball  passed  through  his 
neck,  and  laid  him  low.  He  was  still  heard  to  exclaim,  "At 
them,  my  boys,  at  them  !  "  and,  being  lifted  by  some  of  the  men, 
died  on  reaching  the  tope. 

Lieutenant  Lake  says :  "  This  officer  has  scarcely  left  his 
equal  behind  him  in  zeal,  perseverance,  and  activity.  His  whole 
soul  was  devoted  to  the  service.  In  the  presence  of  an  enemy, 
he  almost  denied  himself  the  necessary  support  of  food  and 
sleep ;  no  difficulty  seemed  to  appal  bim,  and  he  carried  the 
plans  he  had  formed  into  execution  with  a  courage  and  per- 
severance which   deserved    success,    if  they    could   not  always 


1818.]  MADEAS    ENGINEEBS.  545 

command  it.  When  not  actively  employed,  his  time  was 
entirely  given  up  to  the  study  of  his  profession,  and  to  the 
instruction  of  his  little  body  of  sappers  and  miners  ;  nor  can 
higher  proof  of  his  merit  be  desired  than  the  proficiency  attained 
by  these  men  during  a  period  of  active  service,  in  duties  entirely 
new  to  them." 

In  Prinsep's  Transactions  in  India  1813-1823,  we  find  the 
following  regarding  Lieutenant  Davies: — 

"  In  him  the  service  lost  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
officers  of  the  Madras  Establishment ;  though  young  in  rank,  he 
had  seen  more  desperate  service  than  had  fallen  to  the  lot  of 
most  colonels." 

In  the  Summary  of  the  Mahratta  and  Pindarrie  Campaign, 
published  by  an  officer  in  \H-ZO,  he  is  thus  spoken  of: — 

"  Thus  terminated  his  career,  this  gallant  and  distinguished 
officer,  zealously  devoted  to  his  profession,  and  to  the  service, 
bold,  enterprising,  and  active  ;  he  seemed  only  to  require  the 
maturity  of  manhood,  and  of  experience  to  have  rendered  him 
the  most  solid  ornament,  and  value  to  the  service." 

"  His  remains  were  attended  to  the  grave  by  every  officer  oflF 
duty  in  the  camp  ;  and  it  may  be  truly  said,  that  there  was 
scarce  a  dry  eye  on  the  occasion." 

The  duties  and  conduct  of  the  siege  now  devolved  on  Ensign 
Nattes  on  IHth  May. 

May  19th. — The  enfilading  batteries  opened  on  the  fort  at 
daylight  During  the  night  the  approach  was  constructed,  and  a 
small  portion  of  the  second  parallel  was  also  completed,  in  which 
three  embrasures  were  opened  to  protect  left  flank  of  the  parallel 
A  battery  for  two  0-pounders  was  prepared,  and  adjoining 
avenues,  and  gardens  were  occupied.  At  10  p.m.,  enemy  made 
a  sortie  to  attack  this  post,  but  were  repulsed  without  loss  on  our 
side. 

May  20th. — Village  on  our  left  was  occupied  by  Arabs,  who 
at  10  A.M.  made  a  bold  attack   on   our  outposts,  but  they  were 

35 


546  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1818. 

soon  repulsed,  and  driven  out  of  the  village  by  13th  Native 
Infantry.  The  approaches  were  completed  to  proper  width,  and 
two  6  pounders  placed  in  battery  to  scour  the  river.  During  the 
night,  the  parallel  was  extended  140  yards  to  the  right,  along 
bank  of  the  river — 150  yards  from  exterior  works. 

May  21st. — Right  of  parallel  was  extended  150  yards  along  the 
bank  of  the  river,  and  a  breaching  baitery  of  four  guns  was  con- 
structed at  a  distance  of  1"'0  yards  frt)m  exterior  wttrks  on  south 
side  of  fort.     On  right  of  this  battery,  one  mortar  was  placed. 

May  22nd. — Guns  were  placed  in  the  breaching  battery  after 
daylight.  The  guns  opened  on  the  towers ;  but  the  latter 
proved  too  solid.  A  change  of  attack  became  necessary,  and 
it  was  resolved  to  breach  the  lower  wall,  and  form  a  lodgment 
on  its  rampart.  During  the  night,  the  village  of  Sumnaree 
"was  taken  possession  of,  and  a  strong  position  occupied  on 
the  bank  of  river,  opposite  to  the  principal  gateway  of  the 
fort.  On  the  right  of  this  position,  a  battery  for  two  6  pounders 
was  constructed.  This  new  post,  besides  distracting  enemy's 
attention,  put  a  stop  to  free  ingress  and  egress  by  the  gate- 
way, and  consequently  caused  them  to  be  more  exposed  to  our 
shells  than  before. 

May  23rd. — Breaching  guns  effected  a  good  breach  in  the 
curtain  of  lower  wall,  so  as  to  discover  part  of  the  fausse  braye. 
It  was  now  resolved  to  breach  the  fausse  braye,  and  inner  wall 
by  firing  over  the  breach. 

May  24th. — Breaching  guns  brought  down  the  top  of  fausse 
braye,  and  commenced  firing  on  body  of  the  place.  About  8  p.m. 
a  shell  blew  up  a  small  powder-magazine  in  the  fort. 

May  25th. — Breach  was  extended  to  right  and  left.  In  the 
afternoon,  the  parapet  and  upper  part  of  revetment  fell  down. 

May  26th. — At  4  p.m.,  the  breaching  guns  made  a  hole 
through  the  centre  of  the  curtain.  During  the  night  a  howitzer 
was  added  to  the  breaching  battery. 

May  27th. — The   battery   continued    with    J  8  pounders — the 


laiaj  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  547 

12-pounder  shot  being  expended.  At  i  p.m.  more  of  the  upper 
rampart  fell  down,  forming,  to  all  appearance,  an  excellent 
breach.  Guns  were  fired  at  intervals  during  the  night  to  keep 
the  breach  clear. 

May  28th. — Battering  guns  were  employed  in  cutting  away 
sides  of  breach,  so  as  to  form  an  ascent.  The  breach  was 
then  reported  practicable,  and  it  was  determined  to  assault  the 
fort  at  daylight  next  morning. 

Three    simultaneous    attacks    were    ordered    to   be   made    on 
different  sides  of  the  place.     One  on  the  pettah,  second  on  ex- 
terior line  of  works,  and  third,  and  principal  one,  on  the  breaches. 
The  first  had  for  its  object  the  occupation  of  the  pettah,  to 
prevent  escape  of  garrison.    The  second  party  was  to  take  posses- 
sion of  the  outer  walls  by  escalade  between  the  great  gate,  and  the 
ditch.     The  party  for  the  attack  of  the  pettah  consisted  of  500 
sepoys,  accompanied  by  fifty  pioneers,  besides   some  who  carried 
five   scaling-ladders,    the  whole    led  by    Engineer  officers,  pro- 
bably   Ensigns    Purton    and   Underwood.     The    party    for    the 
escalade  of  outer  wall  consisted  of  fifty  Europeans,  250  sepoys, 
and    fifty    pioneers,  with  five    scaling-ladders,    also    led    by   an 
oflBcer  of  Engineers.     The  storming  party  for  the  assault  of  the 
breach  was  led  by  Lieutenant  Nattes,  the  commanding  engineer. 
It    was    composed  of    European    sappers    and    miners,    and    a 
sergeant's  party  of  Europeans,  each  carrying  a  bundle  of  grass 
for  filling   up    the   ditch.      They    were    followed    by  the  native 
sappers  and  miners,  with  scaling-ladders,  seventy-five  Europeans 
with    bundles  of  grass,    and   eighty    sepoys  ;    125   sepoys   were 
ordered  to  file  right  and  left   on   passing   the   outer  breach,  and 
to  scour  the  outer  ramparts.      At   7   p.m  ,   the  several  parties 
occupied  the  positions  pointed  out  to  them.     The  party  for  the 
breach  remained  in  the  breaching  battery  and  parallel.     That  for 
the  pettah  bivouacked  on  left  bank  of  the  river,  HOO  yards  north  of 
pettah,  while  the  party  fur   the  outer  wall  was  stationed   during 
the  night  in  the  gardens  of  the  village  of  Sumnaree. 

36  * 


548  MILITAET   HISTOKY    OF    THE  [1818. 

May  29th. — At  3.30  a.m.  a  brisk  fire  from  breaching  and 
mortar  batteries  was  directed  against  the  breach.  At  broad  day- 
light the  storming  party  advanced.  Lieutenant  Nattes,  who  led, 
on  reaching  the  summit  of  the  breach  on  tlie  first  wall,  waved 
his  hand  to  his  party,  the  meaning  of  which  it  is  impossible 
to  ascertain,  as  immediately  after  he  received  five  musket- 
balls  from  a  retrenchment  that  had  been  constructed  by  the 
enemy  for  the  defence  of  the  breach,  by  which  lie  was  mortally 
wounded. 

The  officer  commanding  the  storming  party  afterwards  mounted 
the  breach,  but  on  letting  down  his  scaling-ladders  on  the  other 
side,  they  all  fell  out  of  the  man's  hands  who  held  them.  Orders 
were  at  once  given  for  the  whole  party  to  retreat  to  the  trenches, 
which  was  effected  in  a  steady  manner.  The  party  for  attack  of 
pettah  advanced  at  3.45,  and  took  possession  of  a  considerable 
part  before  daylight,  and  by  7  a.m.  gained  entire  possession 
of  it. 

The  other  party,  did  not  escalade  the  outer  wall  of  the  fort ; 
before  this  was  effected,  the  failure  of  the  storming  party  at 
the  breach  became  known,  and  the  attempt  was  abandoned. 

During  the  night,  temporary  barricades  were  made  across  the 
principal  streets  of  the  pettah.  Upon  these,  the  enemy  made 
several  attacks,  but  were  repulsed. 

After  this  failure,  the  attack  on  the  west  side  was  abandoned. 
Reasons  for  this  were  :  first,  want  uf  guns  and  ammunition, 
breaching  guns  having  become  unserviceable,  and  all  shot  ex- 
pended ;  second,  length  of  time  likely  to  elapse  before  reinforce- 
ments of  artillery  arrived;  third,  on  account  of  threatening  state  of 
weather,  and  approach  of  monsoon,  which  would  render  the  river 
an  insurmountable  obstacle.  It  was  proposed  to  attack  on  east 
face,  as  the  pettah  would  afford  ample  cover  and  a  safe  approach 
to  the  outer  wall,  the  natui'e  of  which  was  now  ascertained  for  the 
first  time.  There  was  also  greater  facility  for  mining.  It  was 
proposed  to  have  a  battalion  of  sepoys  in  the  village  Sumnaree, 


1818.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  549 

whence  parties  might  be  sent  to  Post  1  opposite  north  angle  of 
fort,  and  to  a  redoubt  proposed  near  the  breaching  battery.  Streets 
of  the  pettah  were  to  be  barricaded,  so  as  to  form  an  excellent 
parallel.  It  was  then  proposed  to  establish  mines  under  three 
towers  on  the  east  side,  and  for  this  purpose  to  sink  shafts  in  the 
houses  opposite,  and  eventually  to  form  lodgments  on  breaches 
caused  by  these  mines,  by  which  means,  the  enemy  would  be 
driven  from  the  outer  walls. 

May  31st. — Battery  No,  1  was  dismantled,  and  working  parties 
were  employed  in  preparing  materials  and  permanent  barricades 
to  be  made  across  principal  streets  of  the  pettah. 

1st  and  2nd  June. — The  detachment  encamped  to  north-east 
of  the  pettah,  at  distance  of  two  miles. 

A  redoubt  for  100  men  was  commenced  behind  the  old 
breaching  battery. 

3rd  June. — Two  18-pounders  arrived  from  Unkye  Tunkye, 
and  the  redoubt  was  completed. 

4th  June. — An  approach  to  redoubt  was  made  from  the  parallel. 

5th  June. — All  the  sappers  and  miners,  under  an  Engineer 
officer,  took  up  their  quarters  in  the  pettah,  and  commenced 
sinking  shafts 

6th  June. — Mines  were  continued  this  day.  Two  mines  oppo- 
site to  the  two  most  southerly  towers  on  east  face  were  abandoned, 
on  meeting  with  a  hard  stratum  of  rock. 

The  mine  opposite  north-east  tower  proceeded  slowly,  owing 
to  the  soil  being  rocky  and  hard. 

June  8th. — Mine  continued,  and  thirty  feet  of  gallery  com- 
pleted a  little  before  daylight.  The  mine  fell  in,  in  consequence 
of  the  little  depth  of  soil  above,  and  buried  the  European  miner 
who  was  fixing  a  sheeting-board.  The  gallery  was  covered  over 
without  being  perceived  by  the  enemy. 

June  9th. — A  battery  on  north  side  of  the  fort,  for  all  the 
mortars  and  two  guns  expected  from  Seroor,  was  commenced, 
400  yards  from  outer  wall. 


560  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  0818. 

June  10th. — Battery  was  completed  during  the  night. 

The  Bombay  detachment  arrived  with  four  18-pounders,  two 
12-pounders,  one  10-inch,  four  8-inch,  and  one  5|-inch  mortars. 
The  mines  proceeded  very  slowly  owing  to  hardness  of  ground, 
and  want  of  practice  in  the  men. 

June  11th. — Battery  opened  at  daylight.  One  10  inch,  and 
five  8-inch  mortars,  and  two  S^-inch  howitzers.  At  11  a.m.  two 
of  enemy's  powder-magazines  blew  up  at  once,  bringing  down  a 
large  portion  of  the  curtain  of  body  of  place  from  the  very 
foundation,  and  exposing  the  whole  interior  of  the  fort. 

It  was  resolved  that  no  time  should  be  lost  in  taking  advantage 
of  this  occurrence  ;  accordingly,  during  the  night,  a  battery  for 
two  18  pounders  was  built  in  a  Mussulman  burial-ground,  320 
yards  from  the  works,  to  destroy  defences  of  the  inner  walls.  An- 
other battery  for  four  18-pounders  was  commenced  on  the  bank 
of  the  river  opposite,  and  600  yards  from  outer  wall,  which  it  was 
resolved  to  breach  in  front  of  the  spot  where  explosions  had 
taken  place. 

June  12th. — This  battery  was  completed  in  the  course  of  the 
day,  and  the  gallery  reached  the  foundation  of  the  tower. 

June  13th. — The  garrison  surrendered.  A  Jemadar's  party  of 
Native  Infantry  was  admitted  into  the  fort,  and  at  noon,  the 
British  flag  was  hoisted  on  one  of  the  towers. 

June  15th. — The  garrison  marched  out  of  the  fort  at  9  15  a.m., 
and  grounded  their  arms ;  they  were  then  marched  to  the  pettah. 

Our  loss  was  severe.  Five  officers  killed,  and  eight  wounded, 
and  220  men  killed  and  wounded.  Of  the  Engineer  officers 
(five*  in  number),  two  were  killed  and  two  wounded. 

Lieutenant  Davies,  killed. 
„  Nattes,  killed. 

Ensign  Purton,  severely  wounded. 
„      Underwood,  slightly  wounded. 

*  Ensign  Lake  was  the  fifth  oflScer. 


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1818.]  MADKAS   ENGINEERS.  551 

Lake,  in  his  Sieges  of  the  Madras  Army,  remarks: — 

"  Lieutenant  Natteswas  alike  admirable  as  an  officer,  a  gentle- 
man, and  a  Christian.  With  the  science  and  zeal  which  become 
the  military  character,  he  combined  the  urbanity  of  manners, 
the  liberal  accomplishments,  and  the  warmth  of  heart  that 
constitute  the  ornaments  and  the  bond  of  private  life." 

There  were  twenty-seven  European  and  forty -five  Native 
sappers  and  miners  present.* 

The  causes  of  the  failure  of  the  assault  seem  to  have  been 
the  unfortunate  loss  of  the  leading  engineer,  the  commanding 
oflQcer  of  the  party,  and  the  second  in  command. 

After  the  capture  of  Malligaum,  as  the  rains  had  commenced, 
Lieutenant- Colonel  McDowell  took  up  his  quarters  for  the 
monsoon.  The  capture  of  Malligaum  was  the  last  operation  of 
any  consequence  in   the  territories  of  Bajee  Row, 

Appa  Sahib,  after  his  escape  from  Captain  Browne,  made  for 
the  Mohadeo  Hills, f  where  the  Arabs,  and  remains  of  the 
Mahratta  armies  sought  him  out. 

On  18th  July  I8l8,  Captain  Sparks  was  at  Bytool.J  He  heard 
of  a  party  of  them  who  had  crossed  the  Taptee,  on  the  20th, 
but  found  the  force  too  strong  for  him.  He  was  surrounded,  and 
attacked  on  all  sides.  The  fort  was  held  for  several  hours,  when, 
having  lost  half  his  men,  and  having  expended  nearly  all  his 
ammunition,  Captain  Sparks  displayed  a  white  flag.  The  signal 
was  disregarded.  As  a  last  effort.  Captain  Sparks  moved 
towards  a  slightly  better  position,  but  on  his  way  was  shot  dead. 
The  sepoys  fought  to  the  last,  under  their  Native  officers. 
Among  these,  a  Subadar  was  mentioned  as  particularly  dis- 
tinguished. 

The  Arabs  took  possession  of  Mooltye,§  exacted  revenue  and 

•  Of  the  Pioneers,  three  were  killed  and  fifteen  -wounded. 
t  Between  the  Nerbudda  and  Nagpore. 

X  With  107  of  10th  Bengal  Native  Infantry ;  half-way  between  Hoosingabad 
and  Nagpore. 

§  Fifteen  miles  nearer  Nagpore. 


552  MILITAKY   HISTORY   OF   THE  tieis. 

contributions,  and  plundered  Shahpoor.  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Adams  was  at  Hoosingabad,  and  immediately  despatcbed  a  strong 
detachment,  under  Major  McPberson.  Two  days  after  he  sent  a 
squadron  with  some  field-artillery,  under  Captain  Newton,  and  a 
third  detachment  followed,  under  Major  Cumming. 

Kains  had  now  set  in  with  violence. 

In  a  series  of  small  affairs  the  British  troops  drove  the  Arabs 
into  the  jungles.     A  stand  was  attempted  at  Mooltye. 

On  22nd  August  it  was  evacuated  at  night.  The  enemy  were 
pursued  and  cut  up  by  two  parties,  under  Captains  Newton,  and 
Ker. 

Early  in  September,  a  detachment  of  Madras  troops  arrived 
at  Bytool,  under  command  of  Major  Munt.  Several  small  affairs 
took  place,  and  the  result  was  the  confinement  of  the  enemy  to 
the  central  fastnesses  most  difficult  of  access,  viz.  those  about 
Puchmurree  and  Deogurh,  both  places  of  some  strength,  which 
conld  not  be  attacked  till  the  season  would  allow  of  a  considerable 
force  being  carried  into  the  hilis  with  a  proper  train,  &c.  Mean- 
time, Appa  Sahib  was  exerting  all  his  influence  to  raise  up  fresh 
enemies  against  the  British  Government,  and  to  make  levies  of 
men  and  money  in  all  quarters. 

His  agents  were  discovered  to  be  at  work  at  Oojein  and  Boor- 
hanpore,  and  besides  an  active  correspondence  by  letter  with 
Jeswunt  Row,  Killadar  of  Asseerghur,  several  interviews  v/ere 
ascertained  to  have  been  contrived  by  the  Killadar  witli  Appa 
Sahib,  as  well  as  with  the  Pindarrie  Cheetoo,  who  had  become  the 
ex-Rajah's  confidential  adviser. 

Intrigues  were  also  discovered  at  Nagpore,  and  several  indi- 
viduals, amongst  them  some  members  of  the  family  of  one  of 
Appu  Sahib's  wives,  were  placed,  in  consequence,  under  restraint. 

The  strong  country  east  of  Nagpore  was  raised  in  insurrection, 
and  a  detachment  was  sent  out  in  August  and  September  which 
reduced  Compta,  and  the  strongholds  in  the  Laughea  Hills. 

In  October,  a  stronger  force  was  sent  out,  under  Major  Wilson, 


1618-19.]  MADRAS   ENGmEERS.  553 

to  reduce  Pownee  and  Ambagurh  which  were  to  south-east  of 
Na^pore. 

These  were  all  successful,  and  their  successes  were  achieved 
under  the  greatest  possible  disadvantages  of  season  and  situation. 
The  entire  country  rapidly  submitted,  and  by  the  end  of  October 
the  Mohadeo  Hills  formed  the  only  tract  that  still  held  out. 
Cavalry  and  infantry  were  established  round  these  hills,  and 
Colonel  Adams  only  waited  for  the  drying  up  of  the 
waters  to  put  in  execution  a  combined  operation  in  three 
divisions.  While  this  was  so,  Chyn  Shah,  the  principal  Goand 
chief,  made  a  bold  attempt  to  recover  Chouragurh. 

He  surrounded  the  fort  with  2,000  or  3,000  men,  while  the 
garrison  consisted  only  of  a  small  party  of  sebundies  under  a 
native  officer. 

The  assailants  were  beaten  oflF,  and  next  day  a  small  detach- 
ment of  three  companies  arrived  under  Lieutenant  Brandon, 
also  a  party  of  Kohilla  horse,  who  were  enabled  to  punish  Chyn 
Shah  for  his  temerity. 

Colonel  Adams'  columns  entered  the  hills  from  the  Nerbudda 
valley  early  in  February  1819.  Colonel  Adams  himself  moved 
on  Puchmurree,  where  he  arrived  on  the  11th,  and  met  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  McMorine,  who  had  advanced  with  the  second 
column  from  Gurhwarra. 

Major  Natum  surprised  Koteegurh  on  night  of  7tli  February, 
and  Major  Jiurgh  was  successful  against  another  party  on  the 
(Jth.  The  arrival  of  Colonel  Adams  convinced  the  Guands  of 
the  inutility  of  further  resistance,  and  all  the  chiefs  hastened  to 
submit,  except  Chyn  Shah  and  Mohun  Singh,  the  Thakoor  of 
Puchmurree.  The  power  of  the  former  lay  about  Hurye,  in 
which  direction  the  third  column,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel 
O'Brien,  penetrated.  This  column,  surprised  and  destroyed  Chyn 
Shah's  party  on  loth  February,  and  captured  two  of  his  nephews. 

The  Nagpore  brigade  had  meantime  occupied  Deogurh. 
Besides  this,  a  double  line  of  posts  was  established  by  Colonel 


^64:  MILITAEY   HISTORY   OP   THE  [1819. 

Scot  along  the  south  and  east  boundary  of  the  whole  tract.  These 
operations  effectually  reduced  the  several  tribes  of  Goands,  and 
the  main  body  of  Nagpore  Subsidiary  Force  returned  to  Hoo- 
singabad  by  middle  of  March  1819. 

Appa  Sahib  had  escaped  from  Mohadeo  Hills  as  Colonel 
Adams  advanced. 

On  the  3rd  February,  he  passed  Boordye,*  He  was  accom- 
panied by  Cheetoo  and  a  few  attendants,  and  about  500  Arabs, 
&c.  followed  more  at  leisure. 

Captain  Jones  from  Boordye,  with  a  troop  of  7th  Native 
Cavalry,  and  two  companies  of  infantry  managed  to  overtake  the 
Arabs,  who  attempted  to  make  a  second  stand  at  Daburghat, 
after  having  been  broken  with  loss  of  100  men.  They  were 
dispersed,  and  Captain  Jones  hastened  after  Appa  Sahib. 

In  aid  of  these  operations,  General  Doveton  had  taken  the 
field  with  the  Nizam's  Subsidiary  Force,  and  having  advanced 
from  Elliclipore  to  Warkera,  detached  Lieutenant  -  Colonel 
Pollock  into  the  valley  of  the  Taptee,  with  orders  to  reduce 
Jilpy  Amnair,t  and  occupy  positions  to  intercept  communications 
between  Asseerghur,  and  the  Mohadeo  Hills.  Colonel  Pollock 
arrived  before  Jilpy  Amnair  on  6th  January,  and  completed 
investment  by  the  8th,  opened  nejct  day  a  battery  of  6-pounders, 
and  on  the  11th  the  garrison  offered  to  capitulate,  if  allowed  to 
retire  with  their  arms  This  was  refused  by  Colonel  Pollock, 
who  had  just  received  some  heavier  artillery.  The  garrison, 
however,  evacuated  the  place  the  same  niglit,  and  succeeded  in 
eluding  the  parties  stationed  to  intercept  them,  by  creeping 
unperceived  along  the  bed  of  the  river. 

Madras  Pioneers  were  present  at  this  siege. 

In  orders  by  General  Doveton  it  is  stated  :  "  The  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  having  also  brought  to  notice  of  the  Brigadier-General 
the    indefatigable    zeal    and    activity     displayed    by     Captain 

*  Thirty  miles  south  of  Hoosingabad. 
t  Forty  miles  E.  by  N,  of  Asseerghur. 


1819]  MADEAS   ENGINEEKS.  555 

McCraitb,  of  the  Corps  of  Pioneers,  not  only  before  Jilpy 
Amnair  itself,  but  also  in  preparing  so  excellent  a  road  for  the 
guns  through  the  Dool  Ghaut,  as  also  the  professional  abilities 
displayed  by  Ensign  Lake  of  the  Engineers,  he  will  have  much 
pleasure  in  making  his  consequent  report  to  superior  authority." 
Colonel  Pollock  now  made  Jilpy  Amnair  his  head-quarters. 
On  3rd  February,  he  was  informed  of  the  flight  of  the  ex -Raja, 
advanced  to  Peeplowda,  and  placed  cavalry  picquets  on  every  road 
leading  to  Asseerghur.  Appa  Sahib  meantime  was  at  Saoleegurh. 
Late  one  evening,  shortly  after  this,  a  small  mounted  party  ap- 
proached a  picquet  near  Joora,  and  on  its  turning  out,  the  horse- 
men dispersed,  and  dashed  into  a  ravine,  by  which  means,  under 
the  guidance  of  Cheetoo,  the  ex-Raja  made  his  way  to  Asseer- 
ghur. From  within  the  fortress,  Appa  Sahib  opened  a  corre- 
spondence with  Malcolm.  The  Pindarrie  Cheetoo,  who  guided 
Appa  Sahib,  was  refused  admittance  by  the  Killadar,  and  was 
shortly  after  killed  by  a  tiger  in  the  jungles,  as  already  noted. 
The  instructions  of  the  Supreme  Government  were  that,  in  case 
Appa  Sahib  should  take  refuge  in  Asseerghur,  the  fortress  should 
be  summoned,  and  the  Killadar  treated  as  a  rebel.  Jeswant 
Row,  the  Killadar,  had  been  ostensibly  ordered  by  Scindiah  to 
give  up  the  fort.  Malcolm  offered  full  security  for  life,  pro- 
perty, and  liberty,  and  to  make  over  the  fort  to  a  member  of  his 
family,  but  the  Killadar  refused  these  terms  Negotiations  were 
broken  off  on  the  17th  March,  by  which  time,  there  was  assembled 
for  the  siege  the  whole  of  Brigadier-General  Doveton's  force : — 

Three  regiments  Native  Cavalry. 

Three  and  a  half  battalions  European  Infantry. 

Seven  battalions  Native  Infantry. 
Also  division   brought   down    from  Malwa    by  Malcolm,    com- 
posed of 

One  regiment  Cavalry, 

Four  battalions  Native  Infantry, 
with  Horse  Artillery,  and  trains  of  both  forces. 


556  MILITAET   HISTORY   OF   THE 


[1819. 


Besides  this,  a  further  train  was  on  its  way,  detached  from 
Saugor  from  the  force  under  Brigadier-General  Watson. 

Thus    the    accumulation    of  means    exceeded    anything    yet 
brought  into  the  field  (if  we  except  the  siege  of  Hutras). 
There  were — 

Fifteen  IB-pounders, 
Seven  12-pounders, 
Seven  mortars. 
Seventeen  howitzers, 

without  the  Saugor  train,  which  produced 

Two  24-pounders, 
Four  l8-pounders. 
Eight  mortars. 
Two  howitzers. 

Altogether — twenty-eight   guns,    fifteen   mortars,   and   nineteen 
howitzers. 

Brigadier-General  Doveton's  division  encamped  a  few  miles 
to  the  south,  near  Boorhanpore,  while  Malcolm  took  up  his 
ground  to  the  north. 

"  The  fort  of  Asseerghur  is  situated  two  miles  from  the  end  of 
one  of  the  great  western  ranges  of  the  Satpoora  Hills,  and 
sixteen  miles  north  of  Boorhanpore.  It  is  placed  in  one  of  the 
great  passes  from  the  Deccan  into  Hindustan,  and  the  natural 
defence  it  receives  from  a  precipice  of  rock  in  almost  every  part 
has  been  increased  by  a  thick  and  lofty  rampart  of  masonry, 
which  is  built  on  the  summit  of  the  rock,  and  by  large  cavaliers 
mounted  with  enormous  guns,  which  commanded  the  country 
in  every  direction.  General  height  of  position  above  the  plain 
is  750  feet,  length  1,100  yards,  and  breadth  600  yards.  Upper 
fort  2,800  yards  in  circumference,  and  lower  line  of  fortifications 
2,400  yards..  Total  circumference  of  fort,  including  upper  and 
lower  forts,  4,600  yards,  or  considerably  over  two  miles  and  a 
half  Nearly  one-half  the  rock  to  the  west  has  been  further 
protected  by  a  second  enclosure  of  good   masonry  immediately 


lfil9J  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  ,557 

below  it,  and  following  the  curved  outline  of  the  natural  scarp. 
This  has  been  aptly  styled  the  Kummurgah,  or  the  belt.  On 
the  same  side,  a  third  enclosure  has  been  added,  containing 
a  space  nearly  equal  to  the  area  of  upper  fort  This 
third  enclosure,  which  makes  the  lower  fort,  is  called  Mali- 
ghur." 

"The  pettah  is  situated  still  more  to  the  west  in  a  hollow, 
intersected  by  numerous  ravines,  and  is  commanded  by  the  lower 
fort.  The  entrance  of  the  lower  fort  is  from  the  pettah,  and 
the  road  to  it  is  well  flanked  by  the  works  on  each  side.  In 
every  other  part,  the  ascent  from  the  pettah  towards  the  lower 
fort  is  exceedingly  steep." 

"  The  principal  entrance  into  the  upper  fort  near  the  west 
extremity  of  the  rock  is  by  steep  flights  of  stone  steps  secured 
by  five  gateways  of  masonry,  by  means  of  which  it  communicates 
with  the  lower  fort,  through  the  second  enclosure." 

"  There  is  also  a  sally-port  at  south-east  angle  open  at  top 
(protected  by  five  traverses),  which  affords  a  direct  commimica- 
tion  from  the  upper  fort  to  the  country." 

*'  The  second  enclosure,  has  also  a  direct  communication  with 
the  country  by  a  small  gateway  at  its  right  extremity,  under  the 
middle  of  the  north  side  of  the  rock." 

"  On  the  same  side,  but  more  to  the  east,  after  a  descent  of 
250  feet,  a  nearly  level  space  juts  out  from  north-east  angle 
to  a  distance  of  400  yards." 

"  The  rock,  which  is  the  natural  boundary  of  the  upper  fort, 
fails  in  three  places,  wliere,  of  course,  more  attention  has  been 
paid  to  the  masonry   than  in  the  other  parts." 

"  Firstly,  at  and  on  north  side,  where  a  very  thick  double 
rampart  has  been  built  to  supply  the  deficiency," 

"  Secondly,  towards  the  east,  not  far  from  north-east  angle,  at 
the  head  of  a  ravine  which  commences  in  the  interior  of  fort, 
and  runs  thence  into  the  plain.  Across  the  top  of  this  ravine 
has  been  thrown  a  casemated  rampart  fifty  yards  long  and  forty 


568  MILITARY   HISTORY    OP    THE  [1819. 

feet  thick,  below  which,  at  a  distance  of  fifty  yards,  there  is  a 
second  wall,  chiefly  intended  to  prevent  the  earth  from  being 
washed  away  during  the  rains." 

"  Thirdly,  near  south-east  angle,  at  the  sally-port  before  men- 
tioned." 

"  On  north  and  south  sides  the  country  below  the  fort  is  plain, 
and  generally  level,  but  intersected  by  nullahs.  At  foot  of  the 
hill  on  north  side  there  are  several  gardens.  On  east  and  west 
sides,  the  country  is  intersected  by  deep  ravines,  and  ranges  of 
hills,  which  extend  on  the  one  side  as  far  as  the  Taptee,  and  on 
the  other  are  connected  with  the  great  Satpoorah  range." 

"  The  position  of  Asseerghur,  however,  commands  every 
eminence  within  long  cannon-shot." 

A  large  depot  of  materials  was  formed  at  a  village  between 
Doveton's  head-quarters,  and  the  advanced  post  under  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Pollock,  about  seven  miles  from  the  fort. 

On  1 7th  March,  orders  were  issued  for  the  assault  of  the 
pettah. 

18th  March  — The  pettah  was  taken  at  day-break,  by  a  simul- 
taneous attack  of  two  columns  from  the  two  divisions  encamped 
north  and  south  of  the  fort.  Doveton's  column,  commanded  by 
Colonel  Fraser,  and  led  by  H.M.'s  Koyal  Scots,  entered  the  pettah 
by  south-west  gate,  at  head  of  Battukeerah  nullah.  Malcolm's 
column  entered  by  the  high  road  from  Boorgaum  and  Choulkan 
through  a  gap  in  the  hills  which  cover  the  pettah  on  the  north- 
west. The  enemy  were  taken  by  surprise,  made  little  opposition, 
and  our  troops  soon  established  themselves  under  cover  of  the 
houses  with  a  trifling  loss,  occasioned  by  fire  from  the  lower 
fort.  A  battery  for  six  howitzers  was  completed  during  the 
day. 

The  Engineer  Department  was  established  in  a  large  bomb- 
proof pagoda  in  the  centre  of  the  pettah,  and  the  troops  occupied 
the  street  in  advance,  which  runs  parallel  to  the  fort.  During 
the   night   it  was   intended   to   construct   battery    (B)    for   six 


1819.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  559 

18-pounders  and  two  12-pounders,  to  breach  north-west  angle  of 
lower  fort  ;  to  advance  our  posts  to  D  to  prevent  sallies ;  and  to 
barricade  streets  which  were  enfiladed.  Owing  to  difficultv  of 
the  soil,  and  deficiency  of  materials,  the  battery,  though  com- 
menced, was  not  continued.     A  secure  post  at  D  was  completed. 

March  19th. — The  post  at  C  was  this  morning  completed. 
The  enemy  made  a  sally  at  sunset,  and  drove  in  our  troops  from 
this  post.  The  battery  B  was  finished  during  the  night,  400 
yards  from  north-west  salient  of  lower  fort ;  and  another  was 
commenced  on  rising  ground  above  the  pagoda  for  eight  mortars 
and  howitzers.  The  ground  on  which  the  mortar  battery  was 
placed  was  so  bad  that  the  fascines  could  not  be  properly 
picketed.  The  revetment  gave  way  when  nearly  complete,  and 
the  work  was  left  unfinished 

March  20th. — The  guns  opened  at  day-break  with  great  effect. 
By  evening  they  had  effected  a  practicable  breach  in  the  salient 
angle  of  the  lower  fort  The  mortar  battery  was  completed  with 
sand-bags.  Malcolm's  division  moved  to  a  position  north-west 
of  the  fort,  and  his  head-quarters  were  established  in  the  Lai 
Bagh. 

March  21st. — The  enemy  evacuated  the  lower  fort  at  4  a  m. 
At  7  .\.M.  the  expense  magazine  of  battery  B,  which  was  placed 
against  the  perpendicular  bank  of  a  deep  ravine,  thirty  yards  to 
the  left,  and  in  rear  of  the  battery,  exploded  It  contained  J 90 
barrels  of  powder.  A  native  officer  and  thirty-four  men  of 
Bengal  Native  Infantry  were  killed,  and  a  native  officer  and 
sixty-five  men  wounded.  The  enemy  immediately  returned  to 
the  lower  fort,  and  re-opened  their  guns.  These  were  soon 
silenced.  The  mortar  battery  opened  at  3  p.m  The  defence  of 
the  pettah  was  made  over  to  8ir  John  Malcolm. 

March  22nd. — 130  shells  were  thrown  into  the  fort,  and  at 
night  two  additional  embrasures  were  prepared,  each  for  a 
12-pounder,  200  yards  to  right  and  left  of  battery  B  ;  one  on 
the  right  to  destroy  defences  of  lower  fort,  and  that  on  left  to 


.560  MILITARY   HISTOEY    OF    THE  [1819. 

silence  a  large  gun  in  ceutie  babtiun  of  north  face  of  the  upper 
fort,  which  bore  on  the  battery  B. 

March  23rd. — The  engineers  reconnoitered  the  east  front  of 
the  fort,  to  fix  on  ground  for  General  Doveton's  encampment. 
A  41-inch  howitzer  was  placed  in  the  pettah  at  top  of  the  barri- 
cade to  prevent  enemy's  sorties. 

March  2Uh. — The  engineers'  reconnaissance  being  com- 
pleted, the  east  front  was  decided  to  be  the  best  for  the  attack  of 
upper  fort.  The  engineer  (Lieutenant  Coventry)  commanding 
wrote  thus  :  "  The  irregular  nature  of  the  ground,  and  the  cover 
afforded  by  ravines  render  extensive  parallels  unnecessary.  A 
communication,  however,  should  be  opened  from  the  Ram 
Bagh  to  a  ravine  on  the  left  of  the  attack,  to  enable  the 
working  parties  to  arrive  under  cover.  As  the  approaches  are 
to  be  carried  up  a  ravine,  exposed  to  a  direct  fire  in  front,  and  a 
flanking  fire  on  each  side,  it  becomes  an  object  of  the  first 
importance  to  knock  off  the  defences  of  the  flanks,  and  to  prevent 
the  enemy  from  rolling  down  stones,  I  recommend  that  these 
works  should  be  destroyed  from  their  foundation.  This,  I 
consider,  can  be  eff'ected  by  placing  batteries  on  the  prolongations 
of  the  flanks  in  such  a  manner  as  will  enable  us  to  breach  the 
opposite,  and  enfilade  the  adjacent  flank  from  the  same  battery. 
The  flanks  being  destroyed,  and  the  defences  of  the  curtain  wall 
knocked  off",  the  bottom  of  the  revetment  of  the  retaining  and 
curtain  walls  is  to  be  loosened  to  enable  the  miners  to  establish 
themselves;  or  should  this  be  found  impracticable,  a  breachirg 
battery  to  be  constructed,  and  the  curtain  wall  laid  open.  I  am 
of  opinion,  that  by  one  or  other  of  these  means,  we  shall  be 
enabled  to  form  a  practicable  breach." 

"  The  mortar  batteries  to  be  disposed  as  represented  in  the  plan  ; 
and  if  practicable,  a  brigade  of  6-pounders  to  be  placed  in 
battery  on  the  detached  hill,  opposite  to  south-east  angle,  so  as 
to  command  the  high  ground  in  rear  of  the  front  attacked." 

"To    distract  the  enemy's  attention  from  the  real   point    of 


1819.]  MADKAS   ENGINEEES.  561 

attack,  it  is  advisable  that  the  evening  previous  to  constructing 
the  batteries,  possession  should  be  taken  of  the  lower  works  on 
the  pettah  side,  and  a  battery  constructed  to  play  upon  the  gate- 
ways. By  these  means,  the  garrison  will  be  deprived  of  all  hope 
of  escape,  and  their  uncertainty  as  to  the  true  point  of  attack 
will  weaken  their  efforts  to  oppose  us.  On  the  same  principle,  I 
recommend  that  the  south-east  face  should  be  breached  where 
the  rock  fails,  with  a  view  to  such  advantage  being  taken  of  it 
as  circumstances  may  require." 

Afterwards  point  (a)  on  north  face  on  the  pettah  side  was 
selected  for  the  second  breach,  instead  of  south-east  angrle.  A 
battery,  for  two  8-inch  howitzers  and  two  5^-inch  mortars,  was 
erected  350  yards  to  left  of  breaching  battery  (B). 

March  25th. — West  attack  near  the  pettah  was  employed  in 
destroying  defences  to  right  and  left  of  the  breach,  and 
bombarding  the  upper  fort. 

March  26th. — Pioneers,  &c.  employed  in  collecting  material 
for  a  new  battery  to  make  a  breach  in  south  face  cf  lower  fort. 

During  these  two  days,  Doveton's  division  was  moving  to 
a  position  for  the  projected  attack  on  the  east  front. 

March  27lh.  — East  Atlach. — The  Ram  Bagh,  under  north-east 
angle  of  the  upper  fort,  was  occupied,  and  the  Engineers'  depot  esta- 
blished there.  Enemy  brought  a  large  gun  on  to  the  north-east 
bastion  to  bear  on  this  point.  During  the  day  a  battery  for  two 
12-pounders  was  thrown  up  in  front  of  the  garden  to  silence  this  gun. 

West  Attack. — Battery  (G)  for  one  18-pounder  and  one 
I2-pounder  for  forming  a  breach  on  south  face  of  lower  fort  was 
commenced.  Two  G-pouoders  were  also  carried  on  elephants 
to  the  eminence  called  the  Mogul's  Cap,  south  of  the  fort. 

March  28th. — East  Attack — Communication  to  batteries  L 
and  M  was  completed,  and  a  good  road  prepared  for  the  guns 
up  the  side  of  the  hill. 

West  Attack. — Breaching  battery  on  south  side  of  the  lower 
fort  was  completed. 

36 


562  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE 


1819.] 


March  29th. — East  Attack. — Batteries  L  and  M  were  con- 
structed during  the  night  to  destroy  defences  of  flanks  to  right 
and  left  of  curtain  of  the  upper  fort,  which  it  was  intended  to 
breach.     L  for  five  l8-pounders,  M  for  four  18-pounders. 

L,  380  yards  from  north-east  angle,  and  530  from  opposite 
flank. 

M,  350  yards  from  point  of  fort  above  it,  and  600  yards 
from  opposite  flank. 

West  Attack. — Battery  (B)  recommenced  firing  this  morning 
to  perfect  the  breach  in  salient  angle  of  the  lower  fort. 

The  guns  in  battery  (G)  opened  at  daylight,  and  by  evening 
effected  a  practicable  breach.  A  4|^-inch  howitzer  was  esta- 
blished on  a  height  to  right  of  this  battery,  commanding  the  gate- 
way of  upper  fort.  Breaches  in  the  lower  fort  being  reported 
practicable,  orders  were  issued  for  the  assault  to  take  place  the 
following  morning. 

March   30th. — East  Attack. — Owing  to  the  great  labour  of 
carrying  the  guns  up  the  heights,  only  three  guns  were  got  into 
battery  L  during  the  day,   although   a  regiment  of  Europeans, 
and  another    of    Native    Infantry   were    employed   in    dragging 
them  up.     The  troops  were  also  assisted  by  elephants. 
A  battery  for  two  heavy  mortars  was  made  to  left  of  L. 
West  Attack. — Enemy  evacuated  Malighur  during  the  morn- 
ing,   and  it   was    occupied   by    our   troops.     Battery    (B)    was 
dismantled,  and  during  the  night  all  the  mortars  but  one,  were 
taken  from  the  pettah,  and  placed  under  cover  in  the  lower  fort. 
March    31st. —  East   Attack. — All    guns   in   L   and  M   were 
placed  in  battery,  and  commenced  firing.     A  battery   for  eight 
mortars   and  howitzers  was  thrown   up   in  front,  and  to    right 
of  the  Eam  Bagh  immediately  under  the  hill.     Enemy  kept  up  a 
smart  fire  from  the  second  fort  on  working  party,  but  with  little 
effect.      A   12-pounder  was   placed    on    right    of    L,    to    keep 
down  matchlock  fire  from  the  north-east  angle. 

West  Attack. — Two  8-inch  howitzers  and  two  5J-inch  howitzers 


1819.]  MADBAS   ENGINEEBS.  563 

were  placed  in  battery  (F)  on  north  side  of  fort,  and  two  5^-inch 
howitzers  on  the  Mogul's  Cap.* 

April  1st. — East  Attack. — Eight-mortar  battery  opened  fire, 
and  a  battery  for  ten  mortars  was  thrown  up  to  left  and  in  rear 
of  M  battery,     L  and  M  continued  firing. 

West  Attack. — Battery  (H)  for  six  guns  was  constructed  600 
yards  from  upper  fort  to  breach  wall  of  second  fort.  An 
18-pounder  and  l2-pounder  were  placed  in  the  pettah  to  destroy 
the  west  defences  of  the  second  fort. 

April  2nd. — East  Attack. — A  magazine  was  formed  for  ten- 
mortar  battery,  and  the  whole  of  the  mortars  placed  in  position. 

West  Attack. — The  guns  were  got  into  six-gun  battery,  and 
opened  on  north-west  curtain  of  the  second  fort  at  2  p.m. 

April  3rd. — The  Saugor  battering  train,  and  Bengal  miners 
arrived  this  day. 

East  Attack. — Ten-mortar  battery  opened  this  morning.  A 
battery  for  four  mortars  was  thrown  up  100  yards  in  front 
immediately  under  the  first  descent  from  the  north-east 
angle. 

West  Attack. — The  defences  to  right  of  the  intended  breach 
were  destroyed  ;  but  the  line  of  fire  on  corner  bastion  being  too 
oblique,  two  18-pounders  were  drawn  out  to  right  of  battery  ;  and 
a  parapet  was  thrown  up  for  a  covering  party  on  ridge  above 
battery  (H)  in  front  of  intended  new  battery. 

April  4th. — East  Attack. — Defences  of  the  flanks  being  almost 
wholly  destroyed,  a  breaching  battery  0  for  two  24-pounders  and 
four  18-pounders  was  commenced,  and,  as  the  ground  would  not 
allow  sufficient  space  for  more  than  two  embrasures  in  a  line, 
the  guns  were  placed  on  three  different  levels,  one  above  the 
other,  forming  an  inclined  battery.  Three  18-pounders  were 
placed  in  battery  to  right  of  L,  to  destroy  north-east  bastion. 

West   Attack. — Employed  in  making  a  mine  under  rampart 

*  Hill,  south  of  the  lower  fort. 

36  * 


664  MILITAEY   HISTOEY    OF    THE 


[1619. 


of  the  lower  fort  in  order  to  open  a  road  for  the  guns  to  the  new 
battery  on  the  ridge  (K),  and  during  the  night,  two  IS-pounders 
intended  for  this  battery  were  dragged  up  from  the  pettah,  and 
lodged  in  the  lower  fort, 

April  5th. — East  Attack. — Battery  0,  400  yards  from  re- 
taining wall,  and  450  from  curtain,  was  completed  this  evening, 
A  magazine  was  formed,  and  a  road  for  the  guns  made. 

The  front  of  M  was  thrown  forward  to  bear  on  the  retaining 
wall. 

The  masonry  of  the  north-east  angle  was  destroyed  this  day 
by  battery  S,  and  the  large  gun  on  the  top  of  it,  a  140-pounder, 
rolled  half-way  down  the  hill. 

West  Attack. — Breach  in  the  second  fort  being  completed,  a 
four-gun  breaching  battery  for  the  upper  fort  was  commenced 
on  the  ridge  in  front  of  and  above  battery  (H). 

Two  more  18-pounders  were  dragged  up  into  the  lower  fort 
during  the  night,  the  mine  was  sprung  in  the  morning,  and  a 
good  road  opened  through  the  ramparts  for  the  guns. 

April  6th. — East  Attack. — Two  24-pounders  and  four 
18-pounders  were  placed  in  battery  in  course  of  the  day.  The 
ten-mortar  battery  was  repaired,  and  an  approach  opened  from  L 
in  direction  of  the  breach. 

West  Attack. — Breaching  battery  was  completed,  and  guns 
were  got  into  the  battery. 

April  7th. — East  Attack. — Breaching  batteries  0  and  N  opened 
on  the  retaining  wall,  and  with  the  assistance  of  L  a  practicable 
breach  was  nearly  effected.     Approach  to  breach  was  continued. 

West  Attack. — The  guns  opened  against  the  rampart  of  the 
upper  fort  at  10  a.m.  In  the  evening,  two  vakeels  came  from  the 
Killadar,  with  offers  of  surrender,  but  stipulated  for  the  garrison 
retaining  their  arms  ;  they  were  immediately  ordered  back  into  the 
fort. 

April  8th, — The  breaching  batteries  re-opened  at  daylight. 
About  11  A.M.,  orders  were  received  to  cease  firing — the  Killadar 


1819-]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  565 

Jeswant  Row  Lar  having  agreed  to  an  unconditional  surrender. 
Road  to  the  breach  on  east  attack  was  continued  during  the  night. 
Rock  at  north-east  angle  was  reconnoitered,  and  it  was 
ascertained  there  was  a  good  path  for  the  troops,  immediately 
under  the  rocks,  to  assault  the  breach. 

April    9th. — The     garrison    marched     out    at    sunrise,    and 
delivered  up  their  arms. 

The  fort  was  occupied  by  British   troops,  and  the  union  flag 
hoisted  under  a  royal  salute  from  all  the  batteries. 
The  Engineer  Department  consisted  of  : — 

Lieutenant   Coventry,    Madras    Engineers,  commanding 

engineer. 
Lieutenant  Cheape,  Bengal  Engineers. 
„  Purton,  Madras  Engineers. 

,,  Irvine,  Bengal  Engineers. 

Ensign  Lake,  Madras  Engineers  (Staflf). 
,,         Warlow,  Bengal  Engineers. 
35  European  Sappers  and  Miners,  Madras  Establishment. 
45  Native  „  „  „  ,, 

185  Bengal  Native  Miners. 
1,000  Pioneers  of  Bengal,  Madras,  and  Bombay,  and  about  the 
same  number  of  dooly-bearers  and  lascars. 
Lieutenant.-Colonel  Crosdile,  C.B.,  commanding  Madras 

Artillery. 
Major  VVeldon,  was  Commissary,  and 
Captain  Poignard,  brigade-major  of  Artillery 
1^  troops  European  Horse  Artillery. 
4  companies  European  Foot  Artillery. 
1   company  Native  Golundauze. 
During  the  siege  the  following  batteries  were  constructed  : — 
West  Attack. 

A.  Howitzer  battery  (5). 

B.  Breaching  battery,  lower  fort  (6) 

E.  Mortar  battery  (8). 

F.  Mortar  battery  (4). 

G.  Breaching  battery,  lower  fort  (4). 


566  MILITAEY    HISTOBT   OF    THE  n8l9 

H.  Breaching  battery,  second  fort  (6). 
K.  Breaching  battery,  upper  fort  (4). 

East  Attack. 
L.  Battery  to  destroy  left  flank  (5), 
M.  Battery  to  destroy  right  flank  (4). 
O  and  N.  Breaching  batteries  (8). 
P,  Q,  and  R.  Mortar  and  howitzer  batteries  (22). 
S.  Three  1 8-pounders,  to  destroy  north-east  bastion. 
T.  Two     12-pounders,    to    silence  gun    in    north-east 
bastion. 
Both  the  attacks  were  pushed  forward  with  great  vigour,  and 
the  manner  in  which  our  guns  were   carried  to  heights  which 
the  garrison  had  deemed  inaccessible,  must  have  made  a  great 
impression. 

The  exertions  of  the  Artillery,  both  officers  and  men,  were 
remarkable.  The  former  in  many  instances,  particularly  in 
battery  L,  and  the  mortar  battery  on  the  north  front,  were 
without  relief,  and  actually  lived  in  these  batteries  from  the  time 
they  were  first  opened. 

The  loss  of  the  garrison  was  slight,  owing  to  the  height  of  the 
rock  ;  only  forty-three  killed,  and  ninety-five  wounded.    Jeswant 
Kow  lost  his  chief  officer  of  artillery,  and  seeing  the  command- 
ing positions,  and  quick  fire  of  our  batteries,  began  to  despair. 
In  addition  to  this,  his  powder  failed. 

The  British  loss  was — 

1  officer,  9  Europeans,  and  37  sepoys,  killed       =    47 
10      „      73         „  „  181       „       wounded  =  264 

Total  311 


Of  the  Madras  Pioneers,  one  havildar  and  fifteen  men  were 
wounded. 

Appa  Sahib,  ex-Rajah  of  Nagpore,  was  not  found  in  the  fort; 
and  Jeswant  Row  denied  he  was  in  the  fort,  or  had  ever  been 
there,  and  would  give  no  information  whatever. 


-^"'j  3ro  list  (Iitmhiiuft  JWrta     O 


S«niou  tlu-o'  llip  Bit^rli  ^Casematm  on  the  E.  Side  Seftion  thro'tkf  Bi-CArb  cui  the  N.  Side 

nf-llir  FORT.  nf  t/ir  FOKT. 


D  /»,"  IT     '      JiffA/ 


-NO    ^ZjTJ'nZ 
^f  that  in  iAr.VJUttu. 


1S19.]  MADEAS   ENGINEEBS.  567 

It  was  ascertained  from  prisoners,  however,  that  he  (Appa  Sahib) 
had  escaped  from  the  fort  some  ten  days  before  the  garrison  sur- 
rendered. No  news  was  obtained  ol  him  for  some  time ;  at  last 
it  was  found  that  he  had  made  his  way  into  the  country  of  Kun- 
eet  ISingh.  The  capture  of  Asseerghur  was  the  last  operation 
of  the  findarrie  and  Alahratta  War. 

The  fortress  of  Asseerghur  was  ordered  to  be  garrisoned  by 
five  companies  of  67  th  Kegiment,  and  the  ;ind  battalion  of  13th 
Native  Infantry,  while  Lieutenant-Colonel  McDowell  was 
appointed  commandant. 

The  Brigadier- (jreueral,  in  his  report  on  the  operations  before 
Asseerghur,  complimented  Lieutenant  Coventry  "  on  the  science 
displayed  by  him  in  selecting  the  only  two  points  on  which  the 
fort  was  assailable,  and  the  choice  of  his  positions  for  entilading, 
bombarding,  and  breaching- batteries,  reliect  the  most  distin- 
guished credit  on  that  officer,  and  on  Lieutenants  Irvine  and 
Purton,  and  Ensigns  Lake  and  Warlow,  by  whom  he  was  so  ably 
seconded  ;  while  the  skill  and  admirable  practice   displayed   by 

the  artillery,  &c The  unceasing  latigue  and  uncommon 

exertions  of  the  Corps  of  Pioneers  so  cheerfully  and  unremit- 
tingly displayed,  entitle  Captain  McCraith  to  the  Brigadier- 
General's  warmest  thanks." 

kSome  other  isolated  services  took  place  at  this  period. 

These  were  the  capture  of  Nowa,  and  Copaldroog  by  the 
detachment  commanded  by  Aiajor  Pitman,  and  the  division 
under  Brigadier- General  Pritzler  respectively.  There  was  also 
an  expedition  against  Sawunt  Waree,  under  Sir  W.  G.  Keir,  from 
Bombay  ;  besides  the  reduction  of  Aladoarapore  by  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Thompson's  detachment  Irom  the  reserve  of  the  Grand 
army,  in  July  18l«. 

On  7th  January  Ibl'J,  Major  Pitman,  in  conformity  with  in- 
structions from  the  Kesideni  at  ilydrabad,  assumed  command  of 
the  force  which  had  assembled  at  Tomsa  for  service  against 
the  refractory  N'aiks.     Tomsa  was   twenty-four  miles  north-east 


568  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  Uei9. 

of  Nandair,  and  three  miles  south-east  of  Nowsaghee  Naik's 
fort  of  Nowa. 

The  fort  was  an  oblong  square,  forty-six  yards  by  thirty-six. 
The  body  of  the  place  was  defended  by  a  rampart  twenty-feet 
thick,  and  the  flanking  defences  consisted  of  a  circular  tower 
thirty  feet  in  diameter  at  each  angle. 

Ihe  outworks  were  a  fausse  braye  and  ditch  running  parallel  to 
the  body  of  the  place,  and  a  sloping  glacis  on  the  European 
system ;  but  it  had  no  covered  way  except  round  the  north  and 
part  of  the  east. 

The  interior  area  was  raised,  so  as  to  form  a  solid  mound,  to 
within  six  feet  of  terreplein  of  rampart,  the  exterior  height  of 
which  was  thirty  feet.  The  fausse  braye  ran  at  twenty-nine  feet 
from  body  of  the  place,  and  consisted  of  a  casemated  rampart 
twenty  feet  thick,  surmounted  by  a  parapet  five  feet  high.  At 
the  angles  it  followed  the  form  of  the  circular  towers  of  the  body 
of  the  place.  The  fausse  braye  was  further  protected  by  traverses. 
The  height  from  top  of  parapet  to  bottom  of  ditch  was  thirty-five 
feet.  Height  of  counterscarp  from  bottom  of  ditch  to  top  of 
glacis  twenty-five  feet ;  and  as  the  glacis  was  twelve  feet  above 
the  country,  the  ditch  had  actually  only  been  excavated  for 
thirteen  feet.     It  was  thirty-five  feet  wide. 

The  principal  gateway  was  on  the  east  front  (one  of  the  longest), 
and  was  well  flanked  by  two  circular  projections. 

The  communication  with  the  country  was  by  a  bridge  over  the 
ditch,  easily  removable.  There  was  also  a  sally  port  on  west  front. 
The  environs  were  perfectly  clear  to  a  considerable  distance. 

The  garrison  consisted  of  500  men. 

The  besieging  force  of : — 
147  Artillery 
2,253  Native  Infantry 
2,011  Reformed  Horse 

4,411  Natives. 


H.H.  the  Nizam's 
troops. 


1819J  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  669 

Besides  these,  there  were  only  eighteen  European  officers  and 
fifteen  other  Europeans. 

In  the  afternoon  of  7th  January,  the  commanding  officer 
reconnoitred  the  fort  from  a  hill  900  yards  south  of  it. 

January  8th. — He  took  up  a  position  near  Nowa;  the  infantry 
one  mile  north  east  of  fort,  and  the  cavalry  one  mile  to  north 
and  west  of  it. 

The  Pioneers  were  employed  in  cutting  brushwood. 

January  9lh  — The  Pioneers  and  Golundauze,  with  a  working- 
party  of  150,  were  employed  in  making  fascines  and  gabions. 

January  1 0th. — It  was  resolved  that  the  north  side  should  be 
attacked,  and  battery  No.  1  was  commenced  at  a  distance  of  700 
yards.  The  garrison  made  a  sally  this  evening,  but  were  driven 
back.  Battery  No.  1  was  completed  during  the  night,  and 
battery  No.  2,  ]  00  yards  in  advance,  was  formed  with  fascines 
and  sand-bags,  and  was  ready  to  open  at  daybreak. 

January  11th. — Both  batteries  opened  at  daybreak.  At  sun- 
set two  posts  of  infantry  were  established  right  and  left  of  the 
battery,  at  distances  of  500  yards.  At  the  post  on  the  left, 
battery  No.  3  was  constructed,  430  yards  from  gateway,  and  the 
mortars  were  removed  during  the  night  to  the  advanced  battery. 

January  12th. — The  mortars  played  during  the  day.  During 
the  night  a  cavalier  was  constructed  100  yards  in  advance,  and 
to  right  of  battery  No.  3,  and  a  trench  established  between  them, 
which  was  extended  to  the  rear  for  the  protection  of  the  troops. 
Enemy's  horse  attempted  to  pass  out,  but  were  driven  back. 

January  13th — Men  employed  in  cutting  brushwood,  and  in 
improving  communications. 

January  I4th. — At  night,  battery  No.  4,  for  two  I8-pounders, 
was  made,  300  yards  from  the  fort;  also  communications  between 
it,  and  the  cavalier. 

January  15th. — Batteries  1  and  2  were  dismantled. 

Our  artillery  began  to  knock  off  the  defences  of  the  front 
(north)  attacked.    Trench  between  battery  No.  4,  and  the  cavalier 


570  MILITAKY   HISTOEY   OF    THE  Lisiu. 

made  secure,  and  another  formed  between  battery,  and  the  post 
to  the  right. 

January  1 6th. — Sixty  yards  of  sap  were  finished,  200  yards  to 
the  right  front  of  battery  No.  4,  directed  so  as  to  clear  the  works 
on  right  of  front  attacked. 

January  17th. — The  sap  was  widened  and  deepened,  and  forty 
yards  of  a  zig-zag  to  the  right  were  finished,  and  a  small  place 
of  arms  established  to  right  and  left  at  head  of  sap. 

January  Ibth. — Thirty  yards  more  were  run  out  in  the  same 
direction.  Besieged  attempted  no  annoyance,  seeming  not  to 
understand  nor  to  care  for  our  operations. 

January  19th. — Thirty  yards  were  run  out  in  same  direction, 
and  a  return  made. 

About  10  P.M.  an  attempt  was  made  by  a  rebel  chief,  Howajee, 
with  some  cavalry,  to  surprise  our  camp  from  the  rear;  but  he 
was  soon  forced  to  retire,  and  was  pursued  some  miles,  but 
effected  a  safe  retreat  owing  to  the  darkness  of  the  night. 

January  20th. — The  sap  was  widened  and  deepened.  The 
enemy  brought  two  guns  tj  bear  on  it,  but  they  were  soon 
silenced.  At  night  the  sap  was  carried  thirty-seven  yards  to  the 
left.  A  party  from  the  garrison  made  a  sortie  on  the  head  of 
our  work,  but  were  repulsed. 

The  fire  from  the  garrison  was  very  hot. 

January  2Jst. — The  sap,  during  the  night,  was  turned  to  the 
right,  and  extended  twenty  yards,  and  a  place  of  arms  made  at 
head  of  it. 

January  22nd. — At  9  a.m.  the  enemy  made  a  sortie  on  our  sap, 
which  threw  our  working  parties  into  great  confusion.  We 
sustained  some  loss.     The  sap  was  extended  fifteen  yards. 

January  23rd. — Yesterday's  work  was  widened  and  deepened, 
and  sap  advanced  ten  yards.  A  European  attached  to  the  En- 
gineer Department  was  mortally  wounded.  During  the  night 
the  work  was  advanced  to  the  crest  of  the  glacis. 

January  24th. — Yesterday's  work  was  made  more  secure,  and 


18W.]  MADRAS   ENGINEERS.  571 

returns  made  to  right  and  left.  At  4  p.m.  the  garrison  sent  a 
messenger  to  the  commanding  oflBcer,  and  by  mutual  consent  all 
firing  ceased  till  his  return.  A  lodgment  on  the  glacis  was 
completed  this  night, 

January  25th. — Enemy  having  refused  the  terms  proposed, 
the  truce  was  at  an  end. 

Great  part  of  the  glacis  within  the  lodgment  was  cut  away, 
with  a  view  to  the  commencement  of  a  mine.  Towards  eveninsr 
a  shaft  was  begun,  and  before  morning  was  sunk  twelve  feet. 

The  soil  was  stitf  clay,  and  stood  without  artificial  support. 

January  26th. — Shaft  was  sunk  to  a  total  depth  of  twenty-six 
feet.  A  gallery  was  commenced  to  the  left  to  blow  in  the 
counterscarp,  opposite  the  left  tower  of  the  front  attacked. 

January  27th. — A  mortar  was  got  into  the  lodgment.  The 
gallery  at  mid-day  measured  fifteen  feet,  and  a  branch  was  run 
out  to  the  right  to  a  distance  of  ten  feet  from  the  shaft. 

January  28th. — The  gallery  measured  twenty-eight  feet,  and  a 
return  of  eight  feet  was  made  to  the  right.  The  branch  had 
been  extended  as  far  as  the  ditch  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a 
view  of  it,  and  also  to  ventilate  the  mine. 

The  gallery  proved  to  be  on  the  same  level  as  the  bottom  of 
the  ditch;  a  small  branch  to  the  left  was  begun  from  centre  of  the 
great  branch  to  form  a  chamber,  and  was  carried  six  feet.  Enemy 
annoyed  us  with  stones. 

January  29th. — Both  chambers  completed  and  loaded,  one  on 
left  with  you,  and  that  on  right  with  310  pounds  of  powder. 
The  hose  was  laid,  and  part  of  the  mine  tamped. 

January  yOth. — At  daybreak,  the  batteries  opened  with  two 
18-pounders,  one  6-pounder,  and  two  mortars.  By  2  p.m.  the 
tamping  of  the  miue  was  complete.  By  evening  the  breaches 
assumed  a  very  respectable  appearance.  Shells  and  grape  were 
thrown  into  them  daring  the  night. 

January  blst. — The  firing  from  our  batteries  continued.  At 
8  A.M.,  the  garrison  sent  two  men  to  negotiate.    The  commandant 


572  MILITAET   HISTOEl    OF    THE  [1819. 

was  informed  that  he  must  surrender  at  discretion,  but  no  answer 
was  received.  At  10,  the  breaches  were  reported  practicable,  and 
orders  were  issued  for  the  assault.  At  twenty  minutes  before 
2  P.M.,  the  mine  was  sprung.  The  explosion  was  very  con- 
siderable, making  an  excellent  descent  into  the  ditch ;  a  cloud 
of  dust  darkened  the  air  for  five  minutes,  under  cover  of  which 
the  ladders  were  planted,  and  the  troops  ascended  the  breach 
before  the  gnrrison  had  recovered  from  their  alarm.  Ten  minutes 
after  the  explosion,  the  inner  fort  was  carried,  and  in  the  course 
of  an  hour,  the  whole  of  the  enemy's  works  were  in  our  pos- 
session. Our  loss  in  the  storm  was  four  killed,  and  seventy-one 
wounded. 

The  loss  during  the  whole  of  the  siege  was  twenty-four  killed, 
and  180  wounded;  total,  204. 

The  only  Engineer  officer  was  Ensign  Oliphant,  of  the  Madras 
Engineers,  who  had  three  Europeans  attached  to  him,  one  of 
whom  was  killed,  and  one  wounded. 

There  were  seventy  pioneers,  but  only  twenty  of  these  had  had 
any  previous  knowledge  of  mining. 

The  fort  of  Nowa  was,  perhaps,  as  strong  as  a  square  of  its 
size  could  be  made. 

Fortunately,  the  soil  was  favourable  for  the  operations  which 
the  Engineer  had  the  boldness  to  conceive,  and  to  carry  into 
execution.  Few  would  have  ventured,  with  only  seventy  men  as 
a  working-party  (of  whom  only  a  small  proportion  knew  any- 
thing of  the  requisite  duties),  to  attempt  to  crown  the  glacis 
with  a  sap  ;  but  no  operation  less  efficient  than  this  would,  with 
an  enemy  so  resolute  as  the  garrison  of  Nowa  proved  themselves 
to  be,  have  efiFected  the  reduction  of  the  fort  ;  and  although  his 
progress  was  necessarily  slow,  the  event  fully  justified  the  daring 
mode  of  proceeding  adopted  by  the  engineer. 

The  first  ground  was  broken  on  the  10th,  and  the  place  was 
stormed  on  the  31st.  This  period  might  have  been  much  shortened, 
if  the  engineer  had  had  the  assistance  of  an  efficient  department. 


1819.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  673 

From  the  time  that  the  first  sap  was  commenced  till  the  counter- 
scarp was  blown  in,  was  only  thirteen  days,  under  all  the  dis- 
advantages of  working  with  men  who  had  never  before  witnessed 
operations  of  the  kind.  Nothing  appears  to  have  been  over- 
looked that  could  ensure  a  successful  result  to  the  siege. 

The  breach  was  not  formed  till  the  mine,  that  was  to  open  a 
road  to  it,  was  ready  for  explosion.  Any  further  praise  of  these 
operations  would  be  superfluous. 

The  complete  success  which  attended  them  (resulting  from  no 
accident),  against  an  enemy  as  resolute  to  the  last  as  any  we 
have  encountered  in  India,  forms  in  itself  the  highest  encomium 
that  could  be  passed. 

Ensign  Oliphant's  meritorious  conduct  before  Nowa  was 
recorded  by  Colonel  Pitman,  commanding. 

.Tust  previous  to  this.  Brigadier  General  Pritzler  had  requested 
that  another  Engineer  officer  should  be  ordered  to  his  division, 
as  he  had  but  one  officer  of  Flngineers  (Lieutenant  Grant)  with 
him.  Grant  had,  while  inspecting  the  forts  near  the  western 
ghauts,  suffered  from  a  severe  attack  of  fever,  and  it  was  un- 
certain whether  the  Brigadier  could  always  depend  on  his 
services.  The  Brigadier  added,  "  that  as  Lieutenant  Grant  had, 
by  infinite  pains,  made  himself  acquainted  with  the  country  in 
which  the  force  was  about  to  be  employed,  and  had  upon  all 
occasions  exerted  himself  with  so  much  zeal  and  benefit  to  the 
service,  he  trusted  that  he  would  not  be  superseded  by  a  senior 
officer."  The  result  of  this  was  that  Ensign  Oliphant  was 
directed  forthwith  to  join  the  field  force  in  the  Dooab. 

In  consequence  of  the  rebellious  conduct  of  Veerappah,  the 
Governor  of  Copal  Droog,*  the  fort  was  besieged  by  a  force 
under  Brigadier-General  Pritzler. 

His  division  entered  the  territories  of  the  Nizam  on  7th  May 
1819,  and  encamped  near  Adony. 

♦  Fifty  miles  W.  by  N.  of  Bellary. 


574  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1819- 

It  consisted  of  the  following  troops: — 

3  troops  H.M.'s  22nd  Dragoons. 

4  „       1st  Native  Cavalry. 
6  companies  flank  battalions. 
8         „  Rifle  Corps. 

5  „  4th  Native  Infantry. 
10          „  12th  Native  Infantry. 

100  Dooab  Auxiliary  Horse. 

•3  companies  of  2nd  battalion  Madras  Pioneers. 

The  following  ordnance  accompanied  the  force : — 
4  iron  I8-pounders. 
2    ,,     12-pounders. 
2  brass  12-pounders. 
8  8-inch  mortars. 

1  5|-inch     ,, 

2  5j-inch  howitzers. 

Brigadier-General  Pritzler  encamped  before  Copal  Droog  on 
the  8th  May,  and  employed  the  morning  in  reconnoitering  the 
fort. 

The  works  of  Copal  Droog  are  of  extraordinary  magnitude 
and  strength,  and  very  complicated. 

In  the  evening  General  Pritzler  moved  down  with  the  intention 
of  carrying  the  pettah,  and  establishing  a  post  for  a  mortar 
battery,  but  he  was  met  by  a  man  who  said  he  was  Veerappa's 
brother,  and  that  the  fort  would  be  given  up.  He  therefore 
halted,  and  directed  eight  companies  to  proceed  to  take  pos- 
session of  it ;  but  on  arrival  at  the  gate,  they  were  refused 
admittance  by  the  garrison,  and  returned,  accompanied  by  the 
man  who  came  out  to  meet  the  force.  The  hill  which  forms  the 
upper  fort  is  600  feet  above  the  plain,  and  is  totally  inaccessible 
on  three  sides  ;  the  fourth,  or  eastern  side,  is  encircled  with  walls 
to  the  very  base,  where  a  strong  rampart  terminates  the  hill 
fortifications,  below  which  there  are,  on  this  side,  two  additional 
enclosures,  each  consisting  of  a   very  respectable   rampart  with 


1819.]  MADEAS    ElvGINEERS.  575 

towers.  The  inner  line  of  defence  of  these  two,  embraces 
the  hill  in  the  form  of  an  irregular  semi-circle,  and  is  built  of 
stone. 

The  outer  one  is  of  mud,  and  surrounds  the  former  everywhere, 
except  at  the  east  end,  where  the  two  ramparts  are  united.  In 
approaching  the  lower  forts,  cover  is  everywhere  afforded  to 
within  350  yards  of  the  walls,  by  the  pettah  on  one  side,  and  by 
a  range  of  rocks  on  the  other.  The  main  strength  of  the  place  is 
at  the  point  on  the  hill,  where  the  flight  of  steps  leading  to  the 
upper  fort  turns  to  the  left  behind  a  rock  ;  and  being  completely 
hid  from  breaching  guns,  the  progress  of  an  enemy  is  checked 
by  a  gate,  where  the  assailants  would  be  exposed  on  both  sides 
to  musketry,  and  to  stones  thrown  from  above. 

8th  May  1819.— The  total  force  amounted  to  3,059  men  :— 
1,110  European  Infantry, 
1,029  Native  Infantry, 
179  European  Cavalry, 
370  Native  Cavalry, 
74  European  Artillery, 
97  gun  lascars,  and 
200  Madras  Pioneers,  under  Captain  Smithwaite. 

During  the  night,  a  mortar  battery  was  prepared,  and  nine 
mortars  opened  their  fire  from  it,  at  midnight,  on  the  lower 
works. 

The  gallopers  opened  at  the  same  time,  with  shrapnel, 
from  a  position  in  the  pettah. 

9th  May. — The  two  gallopers  were  removed  from  the  pettah, 
and,  with  a  howitzer,  were  placed  on  the  hill  post  to  the  right  of 
the  mortar  battery.  Two  12-pounders  were  placed  in  the  pettah 
in  lieu  of  the  gallopers,  and  during  the  night  a  battery  for  two 
18-pounders  was  constructed  to  breach  north  curtain  of  the 
lower  fort. 

1 0th  May.— Fire  from  breacliing  battery  commenced  at  sunrise, 
and  continued  throughout  the  day. 


576  MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1819. 

During  the  night,  the  breaching  battery  was  enlarged  for  two 
more  I8-pounders. 

11th  Alay. — The  four  I8-pounders  opened  at  daylight,  and  by 
noon  the  breach  was  reported  practicable.  It  was  therefore 
determined  to  assault  the  lower  fort  at  daybreak  next  morning, 
and  the  12-pounders  and  a  howitzer  were  placed  in  advance  of 
the  mortar  battery  to  cover  the  attack.  These  arrangements  were 
unnecessary,  as  the  lower  forts  surrendered  the  same  evening,  the 
garrison  (1,400  men)  marched  out,  and  the  place  was  taken 
possession  of  by  our  troops.  Overtures  were  at  the  same  time 
made  for  delivering  up  the  upper  fort. 

Veerappah,  with  about  500  men,  retired  into  the  upper  fort. 

Negotiations  were  entered  into  ;  but  it  seemed  that  they  were 
commenced  for  the  sole  purpose  of  gaining  time. 

The  whole  day  was  wasted,  and  till  9  am.  on  the  13th  was 
allowed  to  bring  negotiations  to  a  conclusion. 

May  13th. — When  the  time  fixed  arrived,  it  appeared  that  no 
reliance  could  be  placed  on  the  Raja's  promises.  The  following 
plan  of  attack  was  decided  on.  Two  columns  of  four  companies 
each  were  to  escalade  the  walls  at  G  and  H,*  and,  having  gained 
admittance,  to  support  each  other.  A  galloper  gun  was  to 
accompany  the  left  attack  to  blow  open  gate  B.  If  possible,  the 
enemy  were  to  be  followed  to  the  summit  of  the  hill. 

At  12  o'clock,  both  columns  advanced  to  the  assault.  Right 
under  Captain  Cuppage,  53rd  Regiment,  and  left  under  Captain 
Tew,  of  34th,  the  whole  commanded  by  Lieutenant- Colonel 
Fraser,  of  12th  Native  Infantry,  Both  escalades  succeeded,  and 
the  gateway  was  blown  open  at  the  same  instant.  The  troops 
rushed  in,  and  effected  a  junction  at  the  gate  C.  At  this  point 
they  were  checked  by  a  tremendous  shower  of  stones  from  the 
rocks  above,  which  occasioned  a  number  of  casualties. 

*  Plan  in  Lake's  Sieges  of  the  Madras  Army.  The  accounts  of  the  Sieges  of 
Nowa  and  Copaldroog,  as  well  as  the  other  sieges  during  the  Mahratta  War, 
have  been  extracted  from  Lake's  Siei/es  of  the  Madras  Army. 


1819.;  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  677 

(The  lett  attack  was  conducted  by  Lieutenant  Grant,  of 
the  Madras  Engineers,  Commanding  Engineer,  while  the 
right  attack  was  led  by  Ensign  Oliphant,  of  Engineers.  Cap- 
tain Smithwaite  commanded  the  Pioneers,  who  carried  the 
ladders.) 

After  a  short  pause,  a  party  rushed  forward,  led  by  Lieutenant 
Silver,  53rd  Regiment,  which,  after  a  gallant  contest,  succeeded 
in  forcing  the  gateway  D,  driving  the  defenders  before  them,  who 
retreated  to  right  and  left.  The  main  body  of  the  assailants 
moved  to  the  right,  and  immediately  carried  the  line  of  works 
extending  in  that  direction.  A  small  party  went  to  the  left,  but 
being  much  exposed,  and  their  ammunition  being  expended,  they 
were  obliged  to  retreat.  A  second  rush  was,  however,  made  in 
this  direction,  and  the  enemy,  intimidated  by  the  perseverance 
and  gallantry  of  the  attack,  called  for  quarter,  which  was 
granted ;  and  the  garrison,  500  strong,  were  marched  out 
prisoners  of  war.  Our  loss  in  the  siege  and  assault,  amounted 
to  one  officer  killed,  and  three  wounded ;  seven  others  killed, 
and  forty-seven  wounded.  Of  these  latter,  two  were  Native 
officers. 

The  2nd  battalion  Pioneers  lost  two  killed  and  six  wounded. 

The  assaulting  columns  were  on  this  occasion,  as  on  every 
former  one  during  the  campaign,  led  by  officers  of  Engineers, 
who  well  supported  the  reputation  of  their  corps. 

The  right  point  of  escalade  was  twenty  feet  high,  and  the  left 
nineteen.  The  ladders  were  twenty-five  feet  long,  and  were 
found  just  sufficient.  They  were  carried  by  the  Pioneers,  and 
were  planted  by  the  Engineer  officers,  assisted  by  volunteer 
artillerymen.  Ropes  were  attached  to  the  ladders  near  the  top, 
to  secure  them  when  up,  and  bamboo  poles  with  iron  forks  were 
used  in  rearing  them. 

The  breaching  battery  was  sunk  in  a  ploughed  field  in 
four  hours,  and  the  other  batteries  constructed  with  eqnal 
facility. 

37 


578  MILITAET   HISTORY    OF    THE  [1819. 

The  gate  B  required  three  discharges  from  the  galloper  gun  to 
blow  it  open  :  1st,  a  blank  cartridge;  2nd,  a  round  shot;  and 
3rd,  a  double  shot.  The  escalading  party  were  just  over  the 
wall  when  the  gate  opened. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  General  Pritzler's  despatch  to 
Heury  Kussell,  Esq ,  Eesident,  Hydrabad.  dated  14th  May 
1819:— 

"  Where  every  officer  and  soldier  employed  did  their  duty  to 
the  utmost,  it  is  difficult  to  point  to  those  who  distinguish  them- 
selves, but  I  feel  much  indebted  to  Lieutenant  Grant  of  the 
Engineers,  for  the  very  judicious  situation  in  which  he  placed 
the  batteries,  planned  the  attacks,  and  conducted  one  of  them  ; 
and  he  was  ably  assisted  by  Ensign  Oliphant.  ...  To  Captain 
Smithwaite  and  the  Pioneers  I  feel  much  indebted  for  their 
unwearied  exertions,  constantly  exposed  to  a  very  heavy 
fire." 

Eighteen  guns  were  captured. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Eraser,  who  commanded  the  assaulting 
party,  wrote : — 

"  The  gallant  and  zealous  exertions  of  Lientenants  Grant  and 
Oliphant,  of  the  Engineers,  were  most  conspicuous,  both  in 
advance,  and  wherever  their  presence  was  required.  The  same 
remark  will  apply  to  Captain  Smithwaite,  of  the  Pioneers, 
Captain  Jenour,  brigade  major  and  captain,  of  the  Quarter- 
master-General's Department." 

Throughout  the  greater  part  of  1818,  there  were  disturbances 
in  the  small  principality  of  Sawunt  Waree,  a  tract  of  country 
situated  between  the  sea  and  the  Western  Ghauts  north  of  Goa, 
about  forty  miles  in  length,  and  twenty- five  in  width.  Remon- 
strance being  found  unavailing,  a  British  detachment,  under 
Sir  William  Grant  Keir,  was  marched  into  the  territory  in 
January  1819.  The  forts  to  be  attacked  were  on  the  coast; 
Newtee,  a  few  miles  to  the  north,  and  Barree,  about  the 
same  distance  to  the  south,  of  Vingorla.     Keir  arrived  before 


I '  iDwiaiOTi*  of  tht  6viti»l)  -Armp 


^\ 


1819.]  MADEAS   ENGINEERS.  579 

Newtee  on  the  8rd  February,  and  next  day  the  Killadar  sur- 
rendered, the  garrison  being  permitted  to  march  out  with  their 
arms. 

During  the  necessary  marches,  the  hxbours  of  the  Pioneers 
were  incessantly  required  to  make  the  roads  practicable  for 
the  guns. 

A  detachment  of  sepoys  being  left  in  Newtee,  Grant  Keir 
moved  on  the  4th,  and  arrived  at  Barree  on  the  9th,  after 
experiencing  some  opposition  from  the  enemy  in  crossing  the 
salt  marshes  to  the  east  of  the  fort. 

On  the  night  of  the  12th,  batteries  were  erected,  and  fire 
maintained  from  daybreak  of  13th.  At  4  p.m.,  the  defences 
were  sufficiently  impaired  to  admit  of  the  outworks  being 
assaulted. 

"  This  service  was  executed  by  two  columns  under  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Clififord,  89th  Kegiment,  in  a  most  gallant  manner.  The 
troops  passed  the  breach  without  difficulty,  drove  the  enemy 
towards  the  second  lines,  which  were  immediately  carried,  and  a 
lodgment  effected  within  half  musket-shot  of  the  upper  fort,  to 
which  the  enemy  were  pursued,  and  many  bayoneted  at  the 
lower  gate,  which  was  for  a  short  time  in  our  possession.  The 
enemy  were  struck  with  such  terror,  that  during  the  night  nearly 
the  whole  of  the  garrison  evacuated  the  fort.  Sambajee 
Sawant  next  morning  surrendered,  and  was  permitted  to 
march  out  with  fifty  adherents.  We  lost  eight  killed  and 
twenty-five  wounded.  Two  officers  of  89th  were  among  the 
wounded. 

c 

Lieutenant  A.  Dowdall      •••)-p 
Lieutenant  Naylor,  Adjutant]  ^' 

The  Madras  Pioneers  had  one  man  killed  and  one  wounded." 

On  the  15th,  Grant  Keir  marched  toward^  Warree  to  accele- 
rate the  treaty,  and  this  matter  was  speedily  brought  to  a 
satisfactory  conclusion. 

37  * 


580  MILITARY   HISTORY   OP    THE  [1819. 

On    1st  January  1817,  previous   to  the  Mahratta  War,  the 
Corps  of  Madras  Engineers  consisted  of  the  following  : — 

Lieutenant-General  (Colonel)  Trapaud, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  C.  Mackenzie,  C.B. 
J.  L.  Caldwell,  C.B. 
Major  Farquhar. 

„      De  Havilland. 
Captain  Cleghorne. 
„       Cotgrave. 
„       Fotheringham. 
„       Fraser. 
„       Raveushaw. 
„       Arthur. 
„        Garrard. 
„       Mackintosh. 
,,       Milbourne. 
First  Lieutenant  W.  Monteith. 
„  T.  Davies. 

„  H.  Fullarton. 

„  C.  C.  Nattes. 

„  D.  Sim. 

„  J.  Coventry, 

„  A.  Anderson. 

J.  G.  Proby. 
„  A.  Grant. 

Second  Lieutenant  J.  Nattes. 

„  W.  Wotherspoon. 

„  J.  Robins. 

„  A.  Ross. 

„  J.  Purton. 

„  J.  R.  Anderson. 

),  Jas.  Oliphant. 

„  W.  T.  Drury. 

M  G.  J.  Jenkins. 

I,  J.  Underwood. 

„  H.  C.  Cotton. 


1817-24.]  MADEAS    ENGINEERS.  681 

Second  Lieutenant  A.  Lawe. 
„  E.  Lake. 

Altogether  thirty-six  officers. 

The  authorised  Establishment  at  this  time  consisted  of — 

1  Colonel, 

2  Lieutenant-Colonels, 
2  Majors, 

9  Captains, 
8  Lieutenants, 
8  Ensig  8, 
Total    30 ; 

so  that  there  were  one  supernumerary  lieutenant,  and  five  super- 
numerary ensigns. 

During  the  continuance  of  the  Mahratta  War  there  were  eight 
casualties : — 

W.  Wotherspoon,  died,  1 5th  January  1817. 

Arthur,  died,  1st  May  1817. 

George  J.  Jenkins,  died,  4th  December  1817. 

Davies,  killed,  May  1818. 

J.  Nattes,  killed,  29th  May  1818. 

C.  C.  Nattes,  died,  21st  December  1818. 

J.  R.  Anderson,  died,  29th  December  1818. 

Eraser,  retired,  1st  March  1819. 
By  these  casualties,  the  Corps  was  reduced  to  two  below  its 
proper  complement. 

G.  A.  Underwood  arrived  shortly  after  the  Mahratta  War,  and 
A.  T.  Cotton  and  G.  F.  Smith  about  the  close  of  1821  ;  but  by 
that  time  there  were  three  more  casualties : — 

Colin  Mackenzie,  C.B.,  died  8th  May  1821, 

Fotheringham,  5th  August  1821, 

Cover] try,  8th  December  1821  ; 
so  the  Corps  still  remained  two  below  its  normal  strength.      In 
1823  W.  H.  Pears  joined  the  Corps. 

On  1st  May  1824,  a  slight  increase  was  made  to  the  Corps, 


682  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF   THE  [1624-26. 

chiefly  owing  to  the  representations  of  Lieutenant- Colonel  De 
Havilland  in  1821,  who  was  at  that  time  Acting  Chief 
Engineer. 

It  was  now  ordered    to   consist   of  thirty-eight   officers,  as 

follows : — 

2  Colonels. 

2  Lieutenant- Colonels  Commandant. 
1  Major. 
10  Captains. 
1 6  First  Lieutenants. 
7  Second  Lieutenants. 

At  this  time,  there  were  twenty-nine  officers  on  the  list  of 
Engineers,  and  it  was  not  for  some  years  that  the  Corps  was 
brought  up  to  the  desired  standard.  During  1824-2o  the 
casualties  were  remarkably  severe,  especially  in  1 825. 

W.  H.  Pears,  died,  June  1824. 

G.  F.  Smith,  died,  21st  August  1824. 

J.  Mackintosh,  died,  22nd  October  1824. 

H.  Fullarton,  died,  23rd  January  1825. 

W.  Kavenshaw,  died,  5th  February  1825. 

J.  Coti^rave,  died,  13th  April  1825. 

T.  F.  De  Havilland,  retired,  20th  April  1825. 

A.  Grant,  died,  20th  May  1 825. 

J.  R.  Cleghorne,  died,  June  1825. 

James  Eobins,  resigned,  21st  June  1825. 

Lieutenant- General  Trapaud,  placed  on  senior  list,  viceLalande 
deceased,  I5th  July  1825. 

Proby,  died,  8th  August  1825. 
So  that  in   January    1826,   the    Corps    consisted    only    of  the 

following : — 

James  L.  Caldwell,  C.B. 
William  Farquhar. 
William  Garrard. 
E.  E.  Milbourne. 
William  Monteith. 
D.  Sim. 


M».l  MADEAS   ENGINEERS,  683 

A.  Anderson. 
A.  Ross. 
John  Purton. 
James  Oliphant. 
William  T.  Drury. 
J.  J.  Underwood. 
H.  C.  Cotton. 
Alexander  Lawe. 
E.  Lake. 

G.  A.  Underwood. 
A.  T.  Cotton. 
Charles  Edward  Faber. 
C.  J.  Green. 
William  Ga-vin  Nugent. 
J.  T.  Smith. 
Total,  twenty-one  officers. 

Owing  to  this  considerable  reduction  in  the  Corps,  large 
numbers  of  young  officers  had  to  be  sent  out  in  the  following 
years,  and  before  the  end  of  1829,  as  many  as  twenty-two  officers 
had  joined  the  Corps. 

William  Henry  Atkinson. 

Thomas  Townsend  Pears. 

Augustus  De  Butts. 

Edward  Buckle. 

A.  Douglas. 

Edward  Lawford. 

Samuel  Best. 

Robert  Henderson. 

F.  Cotton. 

George  Patrickson. 

Stafford  Vardon. 

Jasper  Higginson  Bell. 

W.  Birdwood. 

Frederick  Ditmas. 

William  Garrard. 

H.  Atwell  Lake, 


584  MILITARY   HISTORY   OF    THE  [1819. 

Kobert  Henderson. 
M.  Birdwood. 
John  Clarke  Shaw. 
Henry  Watts. 
John  P.  Power. 
Thomas  Smythe. 

In  May   1829,  the  Corps  consisted  of  two  battalions,  each 
having : — 

1  Colonel. 

1  Lieutenant-Colonel. 

1  Major. 

6  Captains. 

8  Lieutenants. 

4  Second  Lieutenants. 

Total,  20  officers,  or  a  grand'total  of  40  officers. 

Lieutenant- General  Trapaud  returned  from  furlough,  resumed 
the  command  of  the  Corps  of  Madras  Engineers  on  4th  June 
1818,  and  his  seat  at  the  Military  Board  as  Chief  Engineer. 
This  was  a  few  days  before  the  surrender  of  Malligaum.  After 
the  close  of  the  Mahratta  War,  the  Commander-in  Chief  at 
Madras  went  to  Fort  William,  on  30th  April  1819,  and Lieutenant- 
General  Trapaud,  of  the  Engineers,  assumed  command  of  the 
Madras  army  during  his  absence. 

On  the  29th  June,  the  Commander-in-Chief  returned  to  Fort 
St.  George. 

It  should  be  mentioned  here  that  it  was  not  till  the  year  1815 
that  officers  of  the  Indian  armies  were  considered  eligible  for  the 
distinction  of  the  Order  of  the  Bath.  In  that  year  two  officers 
of  the  Madras  Engineers  were  appointed  Companions  of  the 
Order — Lieutenant- Colonels  Colin  Mackenzie  and  James  Lilli- 
man  Caldwell.  They  had  both  very  highly  distinguished  them- 
selves while  on  active  service.  They  served  throughout  the 
campaigns    of    1790    and    1791-92    against   Tippoo,    and    at 


1629.]  MADRAS    ENGINEERS.  585 

Seringapatam  in  1799.  In  addition  to  this,  Mackenzie  served  at 
Pondicherry  in  1793,  was  commanding  engineer  at  Columbo  in 
1795-96,  as  well  as  at  the  capture  of  the  Island  of  Java  in  1811. 
Caldwell  was  commanding  engineer  at  the  capture  of  Mauritius 
in  1810.  During  his  career  he  was  wounded  three  times  ;  first, 
in  trenches  before  Bangalore,  secondly  in  trenches  at  second 
siege  of  Seringapatam,  and  thirdly,  severely,  during  the  assault 
of  the  breach  at  Seringapatam,  4th  May  1799.  Mackenzie  was 
appointed  Surveyor-General  of  Madras,  1810,  and  Surveyor- 
General  of  India,  1815. 


687 


APPENDIX   I. 


LIST   OF   CHIEF   ENGINEERS. 
1742-1881. 


Bank  and  Name. 

Month  and  Year. 

Kemarks. 

Major  Charles  Knipe 

1742 

—  Smith,  Esq. 

1743 

George  Jones,  Esq. 

1747 

Retired. 

Captain  Alexander  Delavaiix  . 

13  June  1748 

Left  the  service 
from  illness. 

Benjamin  Eobins,  Esq. 

8- Dec.  1749 

Died    at    Fort 
St.  David,  1751. 

Col.  Caroline  Frederick  Scott 

August  1753 

Died     at    Cal- 
cutta, 1756. 

Captain  John  Brohier    . 

June  1756 

Dismissed      at 
Calcutta  in  1760. 

Captain  John  Call 

1757 
1760 

Acting. 
Permanent. 
Retired  1769. 

Lieut.-Colonel  Patrick  Ross    . 

15  Sept.  1770 

Major  William  Stevens 

March  1778 

Acting. 

Major  George  Maule 

15  Oct.  1778 

>> 

Lieut.-Colonel  Patrick  Ross    . 

May  1782 

Returned  from 
England. 

Major  George  Maule 

1791 

Acting,  vice  Ross 
on  active  service. 

Lieut.-Colonel  Patrick  Ross    . 

1792 

Major  George  Maule 

1793 

Acting,  Ross  to 
England. 

Lieut.-Colonel  William  Gent  . 

1  Jan.  179G 

Acting,   vice 
Maule  killed. 

„            Patrick  Boss    . 

9  Jan.  1797 

Returned. 

588 


MILITARY   HISTORY    OF    THE 


Rank  and  Name. 

Month  and  Tear. 

Remarks. 

Colonel  Elisha  Trapaud 

j    February  1801 
1      1  Jan.  1803 

Acting. 
Permanent. 

Lieut. -Colonel  James  Lillimar 

I      19  Feb.  1816 

Acting. 

Caldwell,  C.B. 

Major  Thomas  Fiord De  Havil 

9  Feb.  1821 

)» 

land. 

Lieut.-Col.  J.  L.Caldwell,  C.B 

.     10  Jan.  1823 

>> 

Major  T.  F.  De  Havilland 

15  Nov.  1823 

)> 

Major  J.  E.  Cleghorne   . 

20  Jan.  1824 

j» 

Lieut. -Colonel  John  Cotgrave 

7  May  1824 

»> 

Major  J.  E.  Clegliorne   . 

15  April  1825 

>> 

Major  E.   E.   Milbourne    (in 

13  May  1825 

charge). 

>«                  )» 

20  Dec.  1825 

Acting. 

Colonel  William  Garrard 

26  Sept.  1826 

j» 

Lieut. -Colonel  Duncan  Sim 

28  Dec.  1830 

j> 

Colonel  William  Monteith 

10  July  1832 

») 

,,      William  Garrard 

14  Jan.  1834 

>> 

j»                    >> 

1  May  1835 

Permanent. 

,,      William  Monteith 

8  Sept.  1836 

)> 

Lieut.-Col.  Duncan  Sim 

18  Jan. 1842 

>> 

,,           Alexander  Lawe 

15  April  1845 

» J 

A.  T.  Cotton 

2  Mar.  1852 

j» 

,,           Chas.  Edwd.  Fabei 

10  Mar.  1854 

»> 

,,           Jasper    Higginson 

11  Apr.  1859 

>> 

Bell. 

,,           William        Henrj 

10  Oct.  1859 

>> 

Horsley. 

Wm.  Ilbert   Bird- 

29  June  1862 

>> 

wood. 

Colonel  Charles  Alex.  Orr 

1  Sept.  1863 

»» 

,,       John  Carpendale 

18  Apr.  1871 

>» 

,,       Geo.  Warren  Walker 

4  May  1872 

»> 

Lieut. -Colonel  John  Mullins  . 

1  Feb.  1877 

>> 

Colonel  Edward  Archd.  Foorc 

7  Feb.  1877 

»> 

„       J.H.M.  ShawStewarl 

.     15  Feb.  1879 

Acting. 

„       Eichd.  Hieram  Sanke} 

'      9  Apr.  1879 

Permanent. 

Chief  Engim 

'ers  for  Irrigation. 

Lieut.-Col.     John     Gumming 

15  Oct.  1867 

Anderson. 

Captain  John  Mullins     . 

(    12  Mar.  1869 
(      1  Nov.  1870 

Acting. 
Permanent. 

MADRAS    ENGINEERS. APPENDIX   I. 


689 


Rank  and  Name. 

Month  and  Tear. 

Remarks. 

Captain  Joseph  Gore  Eyves    . 

19  Mar.  1871 

Acting. 

„       Richd.  Francis  Oakes 

15  Aug.  1871 

t> 

John  Miillins    .         .      30  Nov.  1872 

Major     John     Ord     Hasted,! 
acted           .... 

3  months  in  1875 
6      „      1878-79 
3      „      1881 

Considting  Engineers  for  Railways. 

Major      Thomas      Townsend 

1852 

Pears,  C.B. 

Captain    Charles    Cornwallis 

1  Oct.  1857 

Acting. 

Johnston. 

Captam  Peter  Pierce  Lyons 

21  Feb.  1862 

M 

O'Connell. 

Lieut. -Colonel  John  Cmnming 

1  Apr.  1805 

Anderson. 

Major    John    H.    M.    Shaw- 

15  Oct.  1867 

Stewart. 

Captain  Hew  L.  Prendergast . 

12  Apr.  1870 

Acting. 

Lieut. -Colonel    John    H.    M. 

1  April  1872 

Shaw-Stewart. 

Acted  for  short 

Major  Charles  John  Smith    .- 

periods  in  1875, 

1876, 1878,  and 

1879 

690 


MILITARY   HISTORY   OP    THE 


M 
O 

!zi 

1^ 


O 

P^ 

pa 

M 

o 

o 


M 
I— I 

P 
Ph 


a 

Eeported  on  Fort  St.  George,  25  Jau. 
1743. 

Drew  lip  designs  for  the  Fort,  1743. 
He  was  father  of    General  Joseph 
Smith 

Eeported  on  Fort  St.  David  early  in 
1747.     Resigned  June  1748. 

1st  Chief  Engineer,  June  1748  to  20 
April   1749,   when  he  left  for  Eng- 
land, sick. 

2nd   Chief  Engineer,  8  Dec.  1749  to 
29  July  1751.     Engineer  General  and 
Commander-in-Chief    of     Artillery, 
died  at  Fort  St.  David. 
1749.     Chief    Engineer   1756.     Went 
to  Calcutta  to  build  Fort  William 
June  1757.    Dismissed  at  Calcutta 
1760. 

1749-1756. 

1749-1756. 

Was     with     Clive     at     Arcot    1752. 

Wounded,  captured  by  the  French 

on  way  to  Madras,  taken  to  Conje- 

veram,     and     left    behind    by    the 

French   when   Clive    captured    the 

Pagoda. 
Came  out  1748,  left  1749. 
1  Jan.   1751.     Acting  Chief  Engineer 

17.57,   and  Chief  Engineer   18   Nov. 

1760.   Eetiredl769.   Created  Baronet 

1791,  and  died  1801. 
Engineer  -  General,  Angust    1753   to 

July  1756.     Died  at  Calcutta. 
Secretary  to  Col.  Scott. 
Assistant  to         do. 
Volunteered  from  the  King's  Train 

(i.e.  Artillery). 
1753. 
1753-56. 
1754. 

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MADRAS    ENGINEERS. — APPENDIX    II. 


591 


g 

1754. 

1755.  Committed  suicide  near  Thia- 
ghur  1759.  Details  iu  Orme's  "  Elin- 
dostan." 

1754-1756. 

1756.  Taken  prisoner  Fort  St.  David 
1758,  and  apparently  died  at  Pondi- 
cherry. 

1756.  Killed  at  Vellore  1761, 15  Nov. 

1757.  Died  21  August  1765. 

1761.     Killed    at    siege  of  Tingricot- 
tah  12  Feb.  1768.     Shot  through  the 
head. 

1761 .     Killed  before  Pondicherry  Oct. 
1761,  commanding  the  Pioneers. 

Died  between  1765  and  1767. 

Killed  at  Madura  1764,  2Uth  June. 

January   1759  to  1770.     Joined  Civil 
Department  in  Sept.  1770. 

1765  to   1770.     Joined  Civil  Depart- 
ment in  Sept.  1770. 

7    January    1764-1778.      Joined    new 
Establishment.      Killed    at    Pondi- 
cherry. 

Joined  as   Lieut.    1767-1772.     Joined 
new    Establishment   1770.     Cajitain 
of  Infantry  and  died  at  siege  of  Tan- 
jore  1773. 

1767.     Wounded  2nd  July  1768,   and 
died. 

Died  between  1765  and  1767. 

July   1765.    Died  between  1765   and 
1767. 

Supernumerary    1762-1765   to    1770. 
Joined  Civil  Depart,  in  Sept.  1770. 

July  1768.     Died  1768. 

Joined  the  New  Engineer  Establish- 
ment. 

Placed  on  retired  list  1  Jan.   1803. 
Died  24  Aug.  1804. 

Resigned  10  March  1774. 
Killed  at  siege  of  Pondicherry  1778. 
14  Oct^ 

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MADKAS    ENGINEERS. 


-APPENDIX    II. 


593 


t 

1 

Died  31  March  1801. 

At  Home,  Pensioned. 

Invalided  3  Sept  1793.     Retired  1800. 

Died  3  May  1793. 

Died  24  July  1792. 

Retired  25  Sept.  1811. 

Died  1789. 

Never  joined. 

Died  1789. 

Retired  Nov.  1810. 

Died  8  May  1821,  in  Bengal. 

Killed  before  Ryacottah,  July  1791. 

Died  13  Oct.  1802. 

Died  at  IViehiuopoly,  3  July  1790. 

Resigned  January  1789. 

Died  Oct.  1787. 

Dismissed  1800. 

Died  1800, 

Retired  March  1801. 

Died  28  June  1863. 

Died  23  March  1812,  on  board  Europe. 

Died  8  Sept.  1793,  at  Kistuagherry. 

Died  27  May  1798. 
Died  13  May  1839. 

Struck  olT  17  Dec.  1799. 
Retired  7  Oct.  1S15,  in  India. 
Died  24  Aug.  1801. 
Died  6  June  1825,  on  ship  Portland. 

Retired  20  April  1825,  in  England. 
Died  13  April  1825,  at  Madras. 
Died  3  Aug.  1821,  at  Trichinopoly. 
Resigned  1793. 
Resigned  1793. 

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38 


594 


MILITAEY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


3 

Died  14  July  1795,  at  Fort  St.  George. 
Resigned  13  July  1808. 
Died  7  Feb.  1815,  at  Ennore. 
Retired  1  Maroh  1819,  in  England. 
Died  5  Feb.  1825,  on  Hon.  Company's 

ship  Caiitdl,  in  Madras  Roads. 
Lost    14  March  1809,    iu    Lady   Jane 

Died  1  May  1817,  at  Quilon. 
Died  2  Sept.  1836,  at  Ooty. 

Died  28  June  1803,  at  Walkee,  near 
Ahmednuggur. 

9  Sept.  1797,  Sering-apatam  ;  roso  to 
Captain  ;  transferred  at  his  own 
request  to  Infantry  2  Sept.  1800,  with 
rank  of  Lieut.,  and  ordered  to  Din- 
digul.     Died  9  April  1816. 

2  Aug.  1798,  Sei-iiig-apatam;  rose  to 
Captain,  and  retired  8  April  1815; 
transferred  to  Cavalry  28  June  1801. 

17  Sept.  1797,  Sering-apatam;  trans- 
ferred to  Cavalry  ;  rose  to  Major, 
and  retired  31  Dec.  1836. 

Retired  28  July  1815,  in  England. 

Resigned  12  Jan.  1810. 

Died  22  Oct.  1824,  in  Isle  of  France. 
Died  3  Nov.  1826,  at  Madras. 

Retired  10  Dec.  1847. 

Died  6  Dec.  1813,  at  Bellary. 

Killed  18  May  1818,  at  siege  of  M-.iUi- 

ganm. 
Died  23  Jan.  1825. 
Died  21  Dec.  1818,  at  Prince  of  Wales' 

Island. 
Died  iu  England,  20  Dec.  1865. 
Died  at  Arnoe,  8  Dec.  1821. 
Retired  3  March  1832,  in  England. 
Died  8  Aug.   1825,  at  Shooloor,  near 

Coinibatore. 
Died  20  May  1825,  at  Prome. 
Killed  29  May  1818,  at  siege  of  Malli- 

gauni. 
Died  15  Jan.  1817,  near  Nagpore. 

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MADEAS    ENGINEERS. APPENDIX    II. 


595 


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MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


APPENDIX    III 


Statement  of  Loss   in   Forts,  Troops,  and  Cannon  sustained 
by  Tippoo,  from  June  1790  to  February  J792. 


Date. 

Forts. 

Captor. 

Guns. 

Loss. 

1790. 

15  June 

Caroor    .         .         .        . 

General  Medows     . 

2 

Evacu- 
ated. 

5  July 

Arravacoorchy 

,, 

2 

150 

10     „ 

Darapoorum 

» 

3 

Evacu- 
ated. 

22     „ 

Coimbatore    . 

n 

22 

20 

6  Aug. 

Perendore 

Lieut.-Col.  Oldham 

2 

Evacu- 
ated. 

8     „ 

Erode     .         .         .         . 

n 

3 

200 

9     „ 

Cumalum 

„ 

2 

Evacu- 
ated. 

22     „ 

Dindigul 

Lieut.-Col.  Stuart  . 

14 

700 

26     „ 

Cliucklagherry 

Captain  Waliab 

4 

100 

26  .„ 

Suttiamungalum   . 

Colonel  Floyd 

2 

230 

14  and  15 

Suttiamuugalum,  battle 

1. 

2 

1,000 

Sept. 

and  retreat. 

22  Sept. 

Palghaut 

Lieut.-Col.  Stuart  . 

59 

400 

13  Nov. 

Wombauellore 

General  Medows     . 

1 

100 

16      „ 

Durampoory  . 

I) 

2 

50 

26      „ 

Parametty     . 

,, 

1 

50 

Sept., 

Tripatore 

— 

— 

— 

Oct.,  and 

Vaniembaddy 

Lieut.-Col.  Maxwell 

10 

300 

Nov. 

Cauverypatam 

— 

— 

— 

1791. 

28  Feb. 

Colar       .... 

Lord  Cornwallis     . 

2 

50 

2  Mar. 

Ooscotta 

.1 

2 

50 

21     „ 

Bangalore 

1) 

104 

3,000 

21     „ 

Vencatagherry 

Captain  Read 

3 

100 

28     „ 

Pursuit  of  Tippoo 

Lord  Cornwallis      . 

1 

20 

30     „ 

DeonhuUy 

It 

3 

100 

1  Apr. 

C.  Balapoor    . 

,, 

3 

10 

6  May 

Cankanally    . 

,, 

3 

— 

10     „ 

Malavelly 

" 

2 

Evacu- 
ated. 

11     „ 

Arrikera 

„ 

1 

— 

MADRAS    ENGINEERS. APPENDIX    III. 


601 


Date. 

Forts. 

Captor. 

Guns. 

Loss. 

15  May 

Battle     near     Seriuga- 
patam. 

Lord  Cornwallis     . 

5 

800 

20  June 

Hoolioor  Droog 

1) 

4 

100 

15  July 

Oossoor  .... 

„ 

6 

Evacu- 
ated. 

22     „ 

Ryacottah 

Major  Gowdie 

13 

300 

17  Sept. 

Rymanghur  . 

)) 

5 

300 

18     „ 

Ambajee  Durgum,  Chil- 
luncotta. 

Captain  Read 

4 

200 

18  Oct. 

Nundidroog   . 

Major  Gowdie 

17 

600 

19     „ 

Cubhauldroog 

J) 



100 

11  July 

Detachment  Tippoo  at 
Coimbatore. 

Lieut.  Chalmers     . 

2 

100 

31  Oct. 

Pinagi'a 

Lieut.-Col.  Maxwell 

4 

200 

7  Nov. 

Kistnaglierry 



100 

21  Dec. 

Savandroog    . 

Lieut.-Col.  Stuart  . 

24 

1,500 

21     „ 

Ootradroog     . 

„ 

2 

400 

22 

Ramgherry  and  Shiva- 
gherry. 

Captain  Welsh 

13 

300 

6  &  7  Feb. 

Storm  of  Tippoo's  Lines 
and  Island  of  Seringa- 
patam. 

Lord  Cornwallis 

80 

20,000 

Grand  total 

434 

31,630 

By  Bomi 

aij  Arini/. 

' 

1790. 

25  Apr. 

Cudioor  .... 

Major  Dow 

2 

50 

— 

Cartinade 

„ 

— 

Evacu- 
ated. 

26  Sept. 

Chaghaut 

Lieut.-Col.  Hartley 

15 

50 

28     „ 

Travancore  guns  dug  out 
of  Pouiar  at  Turtolla. 

" 

37 

— 

2(;  Nov. 

Pauiany 

,! 

4 



7  Dec. 

Veucaticotta 

51 

8 

20 

10     „ 

Tricalore 

!> 

3 

2,000 

12     „ 

Ferokabad 

11 

50 

1,300 

12     „ 

Beypore 

" 

20 

Evacu- 
ated. 

16     „ 

Avery     .... 

General  Abercromby 

— 



— 

Cailee     .... 

1) 

68 

5,000 

17  Dec. 

Cannanore     . 

i» 

— 



17     „ 

Biliapatam     . 

Major  Dow     . 

5 

— 

— 

Narracarow   . 

,, 

— 

— 

27  Dec. 

Barragherry 

— 

6 

200 

— 

Cootepoor 

Captam  Oaks 

6 

200 

1701. 

27  May 

Periapatam    . 

General  Abercromby 

5 

Evacu- 
ated. 

1792. 

22  Feb. 

.Action    with  Tippoo  at 
Seringapatam. 

" 

— 

200 

1 

224 

9,020 

39 


602     MILITARY    HISTORY    OF    THE    MADRAS    ENGINEERS. 


Date. 

Forts. 

Captor. 

Guns. 

Loss. 

By 

]\[(ihnttt(i  All)}  11 . 

1791. 

3  Apr. 

Darwar  . 

1 

Pui-seram  Bo-w,  aud 

30 

4,000 

— 

Khooshgul 

; 

Col.  Frend  in  charge 
Detachment. 

4 

200 

21  Dec. 

Nagamungalum 

) 

Purseram  Bow,  and 

2 

100 



Hooly  Ouore  . 

1 
] 

Capt.  Little's  De- 

2 

350 

24     „ 

Bankapore     . 

tachment. 

6 

200 

29     „ 

Battle  of  Shimoga 

„ 

10 

1,500 

1792. 

4  Jau. 

Fort  of  Shimoga 

" 

12 

500 

66 

6,850 

By 

Nizam's  Annij. 

1791. 

17  Apr. 

Sidhout . 

] 
J 

Nizam's  Army  and 

6 

200 

— 

Kopaul   . 

Major      Montgo- 

20 

1,000 

19  Apr. 

Bahauder  Bunder 

mery's  Detachmt. 

6 

200 

7  Nov. 

Lower  Fort    . 

} 

Nizam's  and  Capt. 

— 

— 



Gurrumcondah 

A.     Bead's     De- 

4 

150 

tachment. 

36 

1,550 

Total  loss  of  Tippoo  : — 

04  forts,    760  guus,  4  9,050  troops. 


LONDON 
PUINTEI)    BT  W.   H.  ALLEX  AND  CO.,  13  WATERLOO   PLACE,   3.W. 


•^ 


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Return  this  material  to  the  library 

from  which  it  was  borrowed. 


mm  iPi 

NOV  1   3  1997 

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